Marathon Weekend Crowds

[Sandisw]

DH and I are deciding on our solo trip next year. Right now, we are considering marathon weekend, only because both DS and DD will still be home from college and they can watch the dog and our other DD.

We would be checking in on Saturday and leaving on Monday or we could arrive Friday and leave Sunday.

How busy is this weekend? And, how does it compare to say a weekend during Food and Wine (the other time we are considering)?

Thanks!

 

[Deb & Bill]

It's hard to get around with all the road closures on Sat and Sun. I was surprised at the length of times for some of the attractions last night. Haunted Mansion had a long line wrapping around the entrance. Pooh and Peter Pan both were at least 60 minutes. Buzz was 30 minutes, but it was actually a bit shorter.

 

[Sandisw]

Thanks! Maybe not such a good plan as DH hates the crowds. Not much way around it unless we just pick a random fall weekend in November and just work something else out for home.

 

[Sammie]

Weekends at Epcot during Food and Wine are packed. The other parks not as much.

 

[dmbkmb]

Well I have gone both times.

Marathon weekend - roads are tough. They close off a lot of roads and transportation around will be slow. Remember there are 40K runners (with their families) over the course of the weekend (1/2 marathon, full marathon, goofy and 5K), so be prepared. The parks will be busy too.

Food and wine - getting busier every year, BUT still a great time to go. If you can go during the week that would be better. It is mostly crowded on the weekends and nights. So if you can get started earlier in your day you are golden. Of course world showcase doesn't open till 11am anyways, so you don't have to start "that" early.

I'll just say that over the last 10 years, all times of the year we usually go are getting busier and busier. I believe adding so many DVC places has really added volume of people. Let me give you an example - 3 years ago we went the 1st week in Dec. It was nice and quiet, other than some locals coming out at night to go to the holiday activities. We went this past 1st weekend in Dec and there were no DVC rooms available and it was very crowded. We actually saw the longest lines we have seen (compared to Oct, Nov, April or May), so there is no real quiet quiet time anymore. We've chatted with a lot of cast members and they are saying the same thing. It seems busier than ever before. So they categorize it by busy, busier and busiest

Good luck with your decision!! I am trying to decide on a May trip myself....but I have a Disney cruise in 2 weeks to hold me over

 

[a742246]

Thanks! Maybe not such a good plan as DH hates the crowds. Not much way around it unless we just pick a random fall weekend in November and just work something else out for home.

I usually go the second week in November and the crowds aren't too bad.

 

[cman]

We just got back from a 1/1 - 1/9 trip. The only impact that caused us any problem was the delay because of the closed roads.

On Sat. we had an ADR at CRT at 8:40. We left BWV at 7:15 and got to the castle at 8:45. Instead of the bus going directly to MK it went to the TTC and we then had to take the ferry to MK. The monorail line from TTC to MK was INSANE.

Once we were done eating we spent a couple hours in the park and didn't hit any lines greater than 10 minutes. When leaving around noon though it was like swimming against spawning fish as the late arrivals were coming in.

 

[RobDoc]

Parks are busy today since each runner received a free park pass. As already stated, driving onsite has been real hassle the last 2 days and parks have been generally busier than in years past - even for the Marathon weekend.

We try to avoid any of the parks on Saturdays now, as Disney has become pretty busy on weekends throughout the year.

 

[DenLo]

Weekends at Epcot during Food and Wine are packed. The other parks not as much.

Last October during Columbus Day weekend Magic Kingdom, Epcot and DHS were all packed. We ended up at AK which was crowded but not impossible wait times. We moved our October trip for 2011 to start after Columbus Day weekend.

 

[zalansky]

We were there this past weekend from Thurs - Sun and went to Animal Kingdom around noon Saturday and had a 15 minute wait for Dinosaur and a 35 minute wait for EE. Not too bad. Went to Epcot Saturday later in the afternoon and wait time for Test Track and Soarin were 70 minutes, just for a few examples. But it was not bad walking around Epcot at all, low crowds, we thought.

We've gone marathon weekend the past 3 years now and we'll do it again next year. Love it.

 

[jpmom]

We just got back from the Marathon Weekend (DH ran the half)

We did AK on Saturday (the half marathon day) -- not crowded - walked on to everything prior to noon. Crowds picked up later, but nothing crazy.

We did Epcot on Sunday (Marathon Day) Drove our car to Boardwalk and parked there since we wanted to stop at the Boardwalk Bakery for breakfast. Walked in through the gates to World Showcase and got to see the Marathon runners start their last mile of the Marathon. Was great to cheer them on - and actually ended up standing along the spectator route around the UK for about 20 minutes just clapping and cheering them on! What a sight to see!

When we got into Future World around 10am, the stand-by for Soarin was 20 minutes and Test Track was walk-on. We did all the "Must-DO's" here and spent the rest of the day in World Showcase. Crowds were fine. I think lots of people avoided Epcot on this day on purpose - which is why it was NOT crowded in the morning. I think parking at the BW and walking in was what saved us.

Only caveat -- the weather. It was good this weekend - mid to high 60s. However, a cast member told me it was the best marathon weekend weather in many years. Last year it was 27 degrees with sleeting rain.

I do love F&W. Makes a great couples weekend. Have been in early October in '07 and '08 and it wasn't crazy crowded. Weather is great.

 

[Sandisw]

We just got back from the Marathon Weekend (DH ran the half)

We did AK on Saturday (the half marathon day) -- not crowded - walked on to everything prior to noon. Crowds picked up later, but nothing crazy.

We did Epcot on Sunday (Marathon Day) Drove our car to Boardwalk and parked there since we wanted to stop at the Boardwalk Bakery for breakfast. Walked in through the gates to World Showcase and got to see the Marathon runners start their last mile of the Marathon. Was great to cheer them on - and actually ended up standing along the spectator route around the UK for about 20 minutes just clapping and cheering them on! What a sight to see!

When we got into Future World around 10am, the stand-by for Soarin was 20 minutes and Test Track was walk-on. We did all the "Must-DO's" here and spent the rest of the day in World Showcase. Crowds were fine. I think lots of people avoided Epcot on this day on purpose - which is why it was NOT crowded in the morning. I think parking at the BW and walking in was what saved us.

Only caveat -- the weather. It was good this weekend - mid to high 60s. However, a cast member told me it was the best marathon weekend weather in many years. Last year it was 27 degrees with sleeting rain.

I do love F&W. Makes a great couples weekend. Have been in early October in '07 and '08 and it wasn't crazy crowded. Weather is great.

Thanks for sharing. DH and I talked about it again and looked for alternatives. We decided that no matter when we decided to go, we were probably looking at some crowds and that since the whole purpose of the trip is to just have a nice weekend away together, alone, that we will deal with the crowds and go from there.

He is probably not going with us this summer (it was just too hot for him last year) so just being able to spend some time together at our favorite place will be great!

 

[Deb & Bill]

On Saturday, I drove over to Epcot to watch my runners. I left from OKW at 5AM. Since I knew I had to take the long way, I drove onto Bonnet Creek (turning left at the light), then on Buena Vista Way to World Drive. From the near the Reedy Creek Fire Station on Buena Vista Way to the intersection at World Drive (just past the entrance to Swan/Dolphin, miniature golf, etc) it took me about 20 minutes. Once I got to World Drive and told the police officer that I didn't mind being stuck in Epcot for the next two hours because the park was closing, I made it to the Epcot parking lot by 5:35AM, just in time to see the fireworks go off for the start.

I rode the monorail over to the TTC, then caught the one to the MK. I made it with time to spare to see my son run down Main Street and run out of the castle. I waited a while to see my husband and his friend come down Main Street, but I didn't want to miss my son finish.

Headed back to the monorail and just squeezed in. At the TTC, the monorail was so full it was wall to wall people. Lucky me, though, as I was getting off the monorail at Epcot, I saw my son run past and into Epcot. Then I saw him finish in 1:45:58. I've never seen the monorail so full.

He and I waited for my husband and his friend to finish about 30 minutes later (they were doing the Goofy, so they took the half slow) and we were able to drive out the regular way to get back to OKW.

On Sunday, I left about 7AM to pickup my husband's friend from the finish. It was a lot easier driving to Epcot (still the same way as Sat). When we left OKW at 9 to pick up my husband, the road to Epcot was open as usual.

Half Marathon had 27,000 runners registered. Full had 17,000 runners registered.

All those who registered for the full got a free ticket for Monday. The parks did have a few more people in them because of this. Lots of Mickey and Goofy medals being worn. We went to both Epcot and AK on Monday and encountered some lines, but not bad.

Temperatures and weather were wonderful on Fri, Sat and Sun. Monday was warmer, but it did rain and there was lightning. But it cleared up in the evening.

 

[Sandisw]

On Saturday, I drove over to Epcot to watch my runners. I left from OKW at 5AM. Since I knew I had to take the long way, I drove onto Bonnet Creek (turning left at the light), then on Buena Vista Way to World Drive. From the near the Reedy Creek Fire Station on Buena Vista Way to the intersection at World Drive (just past the entrance to Swan/Dolphin, miniature golf, etc) it took me about 20 minutes. Once I got to World Drive and told the police officer that I didn't mind being stuck in Epcot for the next two hours because the park was closing, I made it to the Epcot parking lot by 5:35AM, just in time to see the fireworks go off for the start.

I rode the monorail over to the TTC, then caught the one to the MK. I made it with time to spare to see my son run down Main Street and run out of the castle. I waited a while to see my husband and his friend come down Main Street, but I didn't want to miss my son finish.

Headed back to the monorail and just squeezed in. At the TTC, the monorail was so full it was wall to wall people. Lucky me, though, as I was getting off the monorail at Epcot, I saw my son run past and into Epcot. Then I saw him finish in 1:45:58. I've never seen the monorail so full.

He and I waited for my husband and his friend to finish about 30 minutes later (they were doing the Goofy, so they took the half slow) and we were able to drive out the regular way to get back to OKW.

On Sunday, I left about 7AM to pickup my husband's friend from the finish. It was a lot easier driving to Epcot (still the same way as Sat). When we left OKW at 9 to pick up my husband, the road to Epcot was open as usual.

Half Marathon had 27,000 runners registered. Full had 17,000 runners registered.

All those who registered for the full got a free ticket for Monday. The parks did have a few more people in them because of this. Lots of Mickey and Goofy medals being worn. We went to both Epcot and AK on Monday and encountered some lines, but not bad.

Temperatures and weather were wonderful on Fri, Sat and Sun. Monday was warmer, but it did rain and there was lightning. But it cleared up in the evening.

Thanks!! Now, here is my next question (though I think I know the answer). Would you recommend getting there Friday or Saturday? I am thinking that getting there on Friday would be the better option and less chance of running in to crowds.

I think we are just going to do ME and not mess with a car for being there for those short days. And, we only need to do MK and Epcot. I am thinking that from BLT (where we will be), I can hop a bus from the MK depot to BWV or BCV and then walk to Epcot that way.

What do you think? We can make our reservations in around 3 weeks!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thanks!! Now, here is my next question (though I think I know the answer). Would you recommend getting there Friday or Saturday? I am thinking that getting there on Friday would be the better option and less chance of running in to crowds.

I think we are just going to do ME and not mess with a car for being there for those short days. And, we only need to do MK and Epcot. I am thinking that from BLT (where we will be), I can hop a bus from the MK depot to BWV or BCV and then walk to Epcot that way.

What do you think? We can make our reservations in around 3 weeks!!

If you are doing BLT, use the monorail and you won't have a problem. Except getting on an Epcot monorail in the morning while the half or full is still going on and people are trying to get from the MK to Epcot.

For the half, the MK is mile 4/6. For the full it is mile 10. So the last runner will be out of the MK by 7:30 for the half and by 8:30 or 9 for the full.

Friday is busy at the Expo and in the morning for the 5K race - it was at Epcot this year. But the 5K is over fairly early. Shouldn't impact your stay.

Friday should be a good day. Most all the runners who didn't arrive on Thursday are at the Expo at WWoS.

As long as you aren't planning on leaving early Sunday.

Buses won't go to the MK early on either morning. They drop off at TTC. Could be a delay.

 

[drusba]

We were there Jan 1-9. We go often that time of year. There was difference this year we had not seen in the past. Usually, you have Christmas size crowds until through Jan 3 but then they taper off significantly and marathon weekend is usually not huge. What happened this year is that they tapered off after Jan 3 but only a little and very large crowds remained throughout the week. Thus, when marathon weekend began it was still very crowded in relation to past years even without the input of those coming for that weekend. Though not clear why the huge crowds remained after Jan 3, it appears that the entire first week in January is becoming for many schools part of the Christmas break and thus this may be a pattern that continues into future years.