Marathon Weekend - January (when you aren't participating)

[Justrose]

Hi all,

We booked for January before we realized we will be there during marathon weekend.

We don't want to cancel. I am looking for tips for this - I understand it will make the parks busier, but does it affect Disney transportation? Is it disruptive to have people running past you while you walk through the parks, or is that not something that happens? Maybe it isn't as bad as I am thinking it will be?

Amy advice you can give me would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Robo]

We booked for January before we realized we will be there during marathon weekend.
1. We don't want to cancel.
2. I understand it will make the parks busier,
3. but does it affect Disney transportation?
4. Is it disruptive to have people running past you while you walk through the parks, or is that not something that happens?
5. Maybe it isn't as bad as I am thinking it will be?

1. No need to cancel.
2. Not really enough to be comncerned.
3. On a given early morning or two, and not "horribly" at all. Only for selected parks.
4. You would have to try to time your visit to the "correct park" at the "correct time" in order for there to be "people running past you."
5. You are generally overestimating the effect of this.

 

[luv2cheer92]

Disclaimer: this is all based on previous years. rD has indicated that things could potentially look different this year.

Saturday and Sunday morning I would allow extra time to get to wherever you want to go in the morning. There won't be too much of an effect on Saturday. Most people are finished around 9-10, last runners finish around 10:30. From Epcot opening until 10:30 you could encounter runners.

Sunday is a bit more disruptive. People are running until 2ish. People are running through AK, HS, and Epcot while the parks are open. And traffic to MK can be impacted in the morning. The CMs are great at directing traffic through the parks. They will have different areas roped off and will direct runners and park guests where they need to be. You may be stopped to allow runners to pass until there is a break.

So, Wed-Friday will have virtually no impact. Saturday may have a small impact. Sunday could potentially have a larger impact, but it wouldn't be enough to worry about too much.

 

[luv2cheer92]

1. No need to cancel.
2. Not really enough to be comncerned.
3. On a given early morning or two, and not "horribly" at all. Only for selected parks.
4. You would have to try to time your visit to the "correct park" at the "correct time" in order for there to be "people running past you."
5. You are generally overestimating the effect of this.

I would disagree a bit with number 4 for Sunday.

 

[Justrose]

Disclaimer: this is all based on previous years. rD has indicated that things could potentially look different this year.

Saturday and Sunday morning I would allow extra time to get to wherever you want to go in the morning. There won't be too much of an effect on Saturday. Most people are finished around 9-10, last runners finish around 10:30. From Epcot opening until 10:30 you could encounter runners.

Sunday is a bit more disruptive. People are running until 2ish. People are running through AK, HS, and Epcot while the parks are open. And traffic to MK can be impacted in the morning. The CMs are great at directing traffic through the parks. They will have different areas roped off and will direct runners and park guests where they need to be. You may be stopped to allow runners to pass until there is a break.

So, Wed-Friday will have virtually no impact. Saturday may have a small impact. Sunday could potentially have a larger impact, but it wouldn't be enough to worry about too much.

Thanks! I wonder what the changes will be!

Questions based on your post - which is helpful, thank you! I was most concerned about Wed-Fri, and I saw online there are events those days - but from what you are saying, they must not have as many participants? Saturday is our check out day and we will be in HS that day - from your post it looks like the event is in Epcot so HS should be okay? THANK YOU!

 

[Justrose]

5. You are generally overestimating the effect of this.

I had a feeling this might be the case. Thanks for talking me off the ledge!

 

[luv2cheer92]

Thanks! I wonder what the changes will be!

Questions based on your post - which is helpful, thank you! I was most concerned about Wed-Fri, and I saw online there are events those days - but from what you are saying, they must not have as many participants? Saturday is our check out day and we will be in HS that day - from your post it looks like the event is in Epcot so HS should be okay? THANK YOU!

There aren't any races on Wed, just the start of the race expo. Thursday is a 5K which typically ends by 7-7:30 or so. And Friday is the 10K, which ends around 8-8:30 or so. Much shorter races that finish much earlier.