Marathon Weekend @ PARKS - How bad is the traffic?

[angelkk]

I think it will be Jan 6 & Jan 7. Anyone knows the programme schedule? I heard that the road traffic is pretty bad. We will stay in SSR and plan to visit AK on Jan 6 and MK (plus breakfast at GF 1900 Park Fare) on Jan 7.

Shall we drive, or take buses?

 

[slimplaw]

We were there during the marathon weekend 3 years ago. We took the buses and did not notice any problems. We may have gone a different route, but there was no gridlock or bumper to bumper traffic.

 

[TiffJ]

Jan 6th is the 1/2 and it does not go by AK so that should be o.k. , Jan 7th will have more road closures since they cover all of the parks with the full marathon. I would definately take the resort bus since they will know how to get around. Other than that it does not affect park attendance at all. Have fun. We'll be there & having a blast!

 

[susykt4]

We were there marathon weekend this year and went to AK on Saturday- Pop bus, no memorable traffic issues and Epcot (where marathon ends) on Sunday- Pop bus, MINOR issues, still there by park opening. We were advised to take resort buses on Sunday to avoid all the lane closures, etc. It worked well for us. Otherwise, the marathon didn't affect our trip and the crowd levels at the parks were always low that week ESPECIALLY the few days after the marathon.

Unless you REALLY know your way driving around, I'd take the resort bus on Sunday.

 

[dixiedizfan]

We took the POFQ bus to Epcot on Saturday morning of the Marathon, and I thought we'd never get there. We were stuck in traffic for a looong time.

 

[shellybaxter]

The traffic can be bad for cars or busses. Plan to leave really early. You may get to your destination with lots of time to spare but at least you won't be late. When we were there two years ago it took us an hour to drive from the BWI to the WL and then an hour to take the bus from the WL to Disney Studios. Probably not the best day to change resorts - LOL

 

[biggroofy]

Does the marathon finish by noon (on both days)? Will traffic becomes normal afterwards?

 

[Daisie]

We have been there two times during the marathon - the roads are closed in the morning to disney buses and cars going into the parks, we were on a bus to the magic kingdom and had to wait for about 10 minutes to be cleared. Timing is everything!! We received an notice in our room the night before regarding this. Once it is over, usually by noon, all is well. You can get to the parks early...each park starts at a different time.

 

[HopperFan]

Does the marathon finish by noon (on both days)? Will traffic becomes normal afterwards?

Half Marathon on Sat will be done by noon. The Full Marathon on Sunday will still be finishing up but by noon traffic is flowing just fine.

 

[JulieEck]

We have been there two times during the marathon - the roads are closed in the morning to disney buses and cars going into the parks, we were on a bus to the magic kingdom and had to wait for about 10 minutes to be cleared. Timing is everything!! We received an notice in our room the night before regarding this. Once it is over, usually by noon, all is well. You can get to the parks early...each park starts at a different time.

Does this mean that if we are staying offsite, that we don't have a chance at all of going to a park Sat or Sunday mornings? Are there usually specific times for which you can get by before they close the roads? We usually aim to be at the parks for opening time and we have not yet decided which parks on which days. Is there a better park/worse park on Saturday and Sunday?

 

[tink1978]

I have been there during the marathon as well and have never noticed anything different.

 

[angelkk]

Thanks. Now I am a little regret that I selected SSR, if I choose Poly, I can easily take monorail without being affected

I think I will drive to AK as planned on Saturday - Should I go there early (e.g. 10am) or close to noon (around 11:30am)? Does it matters, since TiffJ suggested that Marathon won't go by AK.

About Sunday....maybe a good idea to get offsite early, and come back around 4pm.

Regarding road closure, do they close the road around theme parks, or even Downtown Disney?