Marathon weekend

[ErinSLP]

My family will be at WDW Jan5-12, my brother is running the marathon on Sun. Can anyone tell me what the crowds are like that weekend? I keep hearing that January is empty, but does that apply to race weekend? I'm wondering b/c I'm having some trouble with ADRs. I called 1 day early and still had trouble. We're staying at CBR. Anyone else staying there for the marathon. ANy advice would be great. I've never been in Jan. When we went in Feb. it was low to medium crowds.

 

[disneyac]

My family has been to marathon weekend for the past three years. We love that time of year. There is a large crowd at MK on race day. Not terrible, but large. We took advantage of fast pass that day. I will say that notably the drive to anywhere in the world is crazy that day! And, buses are delayed tremendously. Make certain that you have ample time to get where you are going that morning. We had reservations at the castle one race day morning and we were on the bus for over an hour. We usually let race day be a "chill" day for our family and enjoy our resort. Now, another factor is weather. We have been to the world in Jan when we wore only shorts and we have been in the world in Jan where we needed parkas!! Watch the weather reports and plan to pack accordingly!! We are very much looking forward to our trip in Jan. Quick reminder...this weekend marks the 90 day mark for that trip so if there are any reservations for dining that you would like to make...mark your calendar!!
With sunshine,

 

[MariDisney]

We were there last Jan. up until the Friday before the marathon and it was starting to get on the crowded side. I was planning on booking for the 7th-14th for 2006 and your post has me thinking about bumping it back a week to the 14th -21st, especially if you're already having trouble with ADR.

 

[Gabriel&Nana]

My family will be at WDW Jan5-12, my brother is running the marathon on Sun. Can anyone tell me what the crowds are like that weekend? I keep hearing that January is empty, but does that apply to race weekend? I'm wondering b/c I'm having some trouble with ADRs. I called 1 day early and still had trouble. We're staying at CBR. Anyone else staying there for the marathon. ANy advice would be great. I've never been in Jan. When we went in Feb. it was low to medium crowds.

Hi

My family will be at Orlando Jan5-24 and this is the 3rd time I went in January and except for MLK day, everything is busy and nice...
But I'm putting links to other threads in which we were discussing about a giant convention taht will take place in Orlando at this time too ... I think that's the main reason why you are having trouble with your ADRs...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=922337

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=923744

 

[Gabriel&Nana]

Hi

and except for MLK day, everything is busy and nice...


Sorry, I mean EMPTY, NOT BUSY !!!!

 

[psiprez]

I thought I read somwhere that the Marathon runs take place:

Saturday: full Marathon (through all Parks)
Sunday: Fun Runs and other shorter runs (at EPCOT only)

Have I been mislead?

 

[HopperFan]

Got them backwards.

Sat - Half Marathon, start and end at Epcot after going through MK followed by Family 5k in Epcot and kid races

Sun - Full Marathon, start and end at Epcot after going through MK, AK, MGM
and Sun PM - Celebration at PI

Just got our Race E-News and the races are closed out through Disney with 29,000. Doesn't include all the charity runners........don't know how many that but guessing it is in the thousands. Running on two days makes for more running space.

 

[psiprez]

OK - I found this on the WDW Wide World of Sports site for the Marathon:

"MARATHON DATE and TIME
The Walt Disney World® Marathon will take place on Sunday, January 8, 2006 at 6:00 a.m. Run through all four Walt Disney World® Theme Parks starting at Epcot®, continuing on to the Magic Kingdom® Park, Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, Disney-MGM Studios and then back to Epcot® for an exhilarating finish."

"HALF MARATHON DATE and TIME
The Walt Disney World® Half Marathon will take place on Saturday, January 7, 2006 at 6:00 a.m. A new course in 2006 will take runners from Epcot® to the Magic Kingdom® Park and then back to Epcot® for an exciting finish at the same finish line that will be used for the Marathon on Sunday."

"AWARDS CEREMONY & POST RACE CELEBRATION
When the race is over, it will be time to celebrate your accomplishment. You are invited to gather with your fellow runners at Downtown Disney® Pleasure Island to celebrate your great achievement and honor our Marathon and Half Marathon award winners."

 

[IAdisney]

Last year we flew in on the Sunday of Marathon weekend. Monday at the Magic Kingdom was a little busy, but by Tuesday we felt like we had all the parks to ourselves.