Marathon Weekend or MLK Weekend?

[nowellsl]

Could some one tell me please which weekend would be the least crowded? We were there last MLK weekend and it wasn't too bad - never been during the marathon so I'm not sure how crowded that makes the world. Any advice? The Florida resident rates don't apply during the holiday weekend.

 

[WDSearcher]

Of those two, Marathon weekend will be less crowded. People come for the Marathon and surrounding events, not necessarily to visit the parks. The Marathon events are done by the time the parks open, and most of the runners don't add park days to their agenda.

 

[jaysmom4285]

I will just second WDSearcher's post. We have been at WDW for 2002 and 2003 marathon weekends and found parks not at all crowded. The day of the marathon itself caused some minor foot traffic congestion as the path of the race winds through each park, but that clears up quickly as soon as the runners move on, and there can be some small delays in driving among the parks that morning, but all in all it has little effect on crowd levels.

 

[swilphil]

I'd call ASAP if you want to stay onsite marathon weekend. There were several reports on the Resort Board that many of the hotels were full the night before the marathon. It sounds like many of the marathoning Floridians book a room onsite that night so they don't have to go too far in morning.

 

[nowellsl]

I already had that weekend booked with the FL residents rates - I was just starting to second guess myself. We were initially planning to go the following weekend. I feel better now - I was just mainly worried about crowds and it sounds like they may be better during the marathon weekend. Thanks everyone who replied!

 

[Tinks]

I've never been over MLK weekend, but I can tell you that marathon weekend was very pleasant. The Tuesday after the marathon my DH stood in Fantasyland at 10:00 a.m. and took pictures of the empty park all around him--and I mean empty! It was as if we were there with a handful of other people all spread out over the park. There wasn't a soul on the walk from Fantasyland to Splash Mountain--not one person! Yes, I vote for marathon week/weekend!