Please ease my mind about the Marathon weekend crowds

[wurtie]

My DH and I are headed to WDW for a few days in January. As I was reading over some threads I realized the WDW Marathon is the same time we're going. We aren't able to change our dates or else I probably would. We are staying at Pop Century and have reserved the Keys to the Kingdom tour at 9:00am on Saturday. I've been reading about how long it takes to get from your hotel to the parks because of road closures on race mornings and frankly I'm pretty nervous. I am wondering what time do the buses start running and what time should we get on at Pop in order to be at the MK by 8:45. Or should we just bite the bullet and change our reservation to the WL. We would be able to take a WL boat to the MK, wouldn't we?

 

[LuLuO]

We went this past marathon weekend and didn't have a problem getting to the parks. It took a tad bit longer to get from A to B in the morning but nothing outrageous. I believe buses start running at 6:30. We were at the stop by 7:30 and made it to MK on both Saturday and Sunday in plenty of time for rope drop.

ETA: We were also at POP that weekend.

 

[JCH]

My DH and I are headed to WDW for a few days in January. As I was reading over some threads I realized the WDW Marathon is the same time we're going. We aren't able to change our dates or else I probably would. We are staying at Pop Century and have reserved the Keys to the Kingdom tour at 9:00am on Saturday. I've been reading about how long it takes to get from your hotel to the parks because of road closures on race mornings and frankly I'm pretty nervous. I am wondering what time do the buses start running and what time should we get on at Pop in order to be at the MK by 8:45. Or should we just bite the bullet and change our reservation to the WL. We would be able to take a WL boat to the MK, wouldn't we?

Disney races add a lot of people to the resorts, but don't really change park attendance. The Disney buses know the back routes, and you shouldn't be too inconvenienced at all. I would avoid driving a car, though. If you are worried, just ask the front desk when the first bus is and be sure you are on it. There will actually be some pretty early buses to MK taking spectators as you are allowed to cheer on Main Street before the parks open.

Of course, you can always join in on the fun and run or walk the 5k. Running through the World Showcase as the sun comes up, getting pictures with characters that aren't usually out, and a fun Disney medal! So worth it!

 

[Dizzytime]

Of course, you can always join in on the fun and run or walk the 5k. Running through the World Showcase as the sun comes up, getting pictures with characters that aren't usually out, and a fun Disney medal! So worth it!

We're going to be there at that time, and I think that's a great idea! . The idea of running through World Showcase sounds like a lot of fun!

(sorry for the slight hijack)

 

[winthropf]

I have stayed at Pop for marathon weekend the last two years. The morning of the tour I recommend taking a taxi from Pop to the Contemporary and walking to the MK.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

We're going to be there at that time, and I think that's a great idea! . The idea of running through World Showcase sounds like a lot of fun!

(sorry for the slight hijack)

actually that does sound like fun! Does someone have a quick/ easy link with info on joining in (ie details, cost etc)?

 

[francie57]

We will be there that weekend and can't wait. I am doing the 5K through Epcot on Friday, DH is doing half marathon on Sat. and DD is doing full marathon on Sun. To get information we just googled Disney marathon 2013 and then click on the site for espnwwos and all the info will be there.

 

[JCH]

actually that does sound like fun! Does someone have a quick/ easy link with info on joining in (ie details, cost etc)?

Here is the link to 5k info. http://espnwwos.disney.go.com/events/rundisney/wdw-marathon/index?page=disney-family-fun-run-5k

Be warned that Disney races are addictive. Bring a camera for photo ops! It says there is a 16mm pace requirement, but for the 5ks, it's not enforced.

 

[mountdew1]

Just make sure to leave extra time. The in park crowds really don't change that much, its a lot of people at the resorts and resort dining. The Contemporary is at approx mile 5 of the half marathon. The first runners start at 5:30, the last runners should be on course by about 6:15. Assuming the last wave starting takes the full 16min/mile, they would need to be through that area by about 7:35. The buses should still be running by about 6:30, but prior those last runners going through, and that section of the course closing, World Drive (the road that the buses take to get to the MK) will be one way only, with traffic alternating between the two directions. (IE 20 cars go one way, and when the last one passes the Contemporary, 20 goes go the other way, til the last one hits the TTC, lather rinse and repeat. Also, you really won't be able to get to the MK entrance except from the monorail. The runners go across the bus entrance and Contemporary walkway to the MK to enter backstage. You may be told to take the monorail if they are still running. Or the buses may even drop you a the TTC and tell you take the monorail at that point. But the road should be open by about 8, and they have the park cleared of runners prior to MK opening. So shooting for the bus stop at 7-7:15 should be sufficient. 7:45 would be the outer limit of my comfort level. (Assuming you miss the bus and another doesn't come til 8:10-8:15, cutting it close for a 8:45 tour meeting).

Sunday can be a little more confusing as runners will be in the other 3 parks while they are open, and roads will be closed in the AK/DHS/Epcot areas until noon time or later. But the only real bottleneck in public areas is the World Drive/Contemporary closures I mentioned above.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

Disney races add a lot of people to the resorts, but don't really change park attendance. The Disney buses know the back routes, and you shouldn't be too inconvenienced at all. I would avoid driving a car, though. If you are worried, just ask the front desk when the first bus is and be sure you are on it. There will actually be some pretty early buses to MK taking spectators as you are allowed to cheer on Main Street before the parks open.

Of course, you can always join in on the fun and run or walk the 5k. Running through the World Showcase as the sun comes up, getting pictures with characters that aren't usually out, and a fun Disney medal! So worth it!

So there are characters out for the 5 K? Can anyone give me some examples of characters that have been out in the past? I'm assuming they change year to year - if they don't please fill me in on that too!

thanks!

 

[wurtie]

Thank you all for the response. I think we'll be ok. We'll just plan on being up bright and early and leaving much earlier than normal. And a special thank you to the poster who recommended doing one of the races because.....................


I just registered my DH and myself for the 5K. This will be our 1st and I am so excited!!!

 

[kaybird]

Sorry if this is a double post, couldn't see my original.

We did the marathon in Jan. Crowds in the parks aren't too bad, but have been steadily increasing over the last few years, as runners bring their families. We had 6 runners and 18 in our group. This was my first 5k since my knee replacement, it was a blast! We had someone in each race including kids races, so really a lot of fun!

I have posted this picture before, but be prepared for some transportation delays!

 

[JCH]

Thank you all for the response. I think we'll be ok. We'll just plan on being up bright and early and leaving much earlier than normal. And a special thank you to the poster who recommended doing one of the races because.....................

I just registered my DH and myself for the 5K. This will be our 1st and I am so excited!!!

Yay! You won't regret it!

And about characters, YES they have characters! For the 5k last year, it was the Three Caballeros, so they had all of them out prerace for pictures. On the course, they had Mushu, Belle and Beast, and Alice that I remember. Maybe a few more.

For the Halloween 5k, it was Scarecrow Mickey, Witch Minnie, the hyenas from Lion King, Himalayan Goofy, Dinosaur Donald, and since that race was through Animal Kingdom, they had keepers out with animals. Here's me with Scarecrow Mickey.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

We stayed at CBR in January of 2011 and were there over Marathon weekend. We usually try to get on the buses at 8 for regular park opening. We went to MK on Saturday. I know we left earlier than usual because we knew there would be transportation delays, but I can't remember when. I think around 7:30. Anyway, we were just getting on the ferry at the T&TC when the park opened. (We could hear the welcome show.) The next day we went to Epcot and ended up standing in the cold for about 30-45 minutes because we got there so early. I don't know how hard it would be for a cab to get to MK resorts, but I would allow yourselves plenty of time.

 

[disnut8]

My DH and I are headed to WDW for a few days in January. As I was reading over some threads I realized the WDW Marathon is the same time we're going. We aren't able to change our dates or else I probably would. We are staying at Pop Century and have reserved the Keys to the Kingdom tour at 9:00am on Saturday. I've been reading about how long it takes to get from your hotel to the parks because of road closures on race mornings and frankly I'm pretty nervous. I am wondering what time do the buses start running and what time should we get on at Pop in order to be at the MK by 8:45. Or should we just bite the bullet and change our reservation to the WL. We would be able to take a WL boat to the MK, wouldn't we?

Actually, because you are staying at Pop Century works a ton in your advantage. Pop Century is where most of the marathoners stay and there is almost a continuing supply of buses there. We stayed there this past January during the marathon and we had plush buses for the resort. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

I would pad the travel time by about 15-30 minutes, though. That's all I think you would need to do.

 

[ols386]

Sorry if this is a double post, couldn't see my original.

We did the marathon in Jan. Crowds in the parks aren't too bad, but have been steadily increasing over the last few years, as runners bring their families. We had 6 runners and 18 in our group. This was my first 5k since my knee replacement, it was a blast! We had someone in each race including kids races, so really a lot of fun!

I have posted this picture before, but be prepared for some transportation delays!

This was exactly what it looked like when I was there during the marathon (dd ran it). It was a mad house at the TTC/monorails.

Other than than, I didn't think it was bad at all.

Parks didn't seem any more crowded than they normally do. Transportation was running as it normally did, except for the morning of the marathon.

I wouldn't hesitate to go again at that time.

 

[mountdew1]

So there are characters out for the 5 K? Can anyone give me some examples of characters that have been out in the past? I'm assuming they change year to year - if they don't please fill me in on that too!

thanks!

The characters tend to be themed to the theme of the race. As a PP said, last years Marathon weekend 5k theme was the Three Caballeros, so they were out a the start/finish for pictures. At one of the Princess 5ks, the theme was Beauty and the Beast (the DVD was coming out that year) so the start/finish had Belle, Beast, and Gaston. On course can be any one at all. It will range from the common (Mickey) to the rare (Pain/Panic/Christmas Parade Reindeer) The rarer ones tend to be on the half/full marathons and not the 5ks, but you never know.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

The characters tend to be themed to the theme of the race. As a PP said, last years Marathon weekend 5k theme was the Three Caballeros, so they were out a the start/finish for pictures. At one of the Princess 5ks, the theme was Beauty and the Beast (the DVD was coming out that year) so the start/finish had Belle, Beast, and Gaston. On course can be any one at all. It will range from the common (Mickey) to the rare (Pain/Panic/Christmas Parade Reindeer) The rarer ones tend to be on the half/full marathons and not the 5ks, but you never know.

great info thanks! Does anyone know what the theme of the race is this year?

 

[JCH]

great info thanks! Does anyone know what the theme of the race is this year?

They haven't announced it yet. It'll be on the WISH as soon as they do! There are other 5ks aside from Marathon weekend that have had themes announced. Sept 29th is the Happy Haunted 5k through ESPN WWOS, Nov 10th is the Jingle Jungle 5k through AK, the yet to be named marathon weekend 5k is Jan 11th through Epcot, and the 5k with the Princess is Feb 23rd and is rumored to be Brave themed, and Expedition Everest which is a 5k and scavenger hunt is AK is May 4th.