Please help with planning which park to reserve to help avoid traffic and congestion with the disney marathon and other races

[susienut1]

We will be visiting all four parks, one park each day starting Mon Jan 2nd and last possible park day Sat Jan 7th. We'll have a rental car and be staying off site.

 

[Mr. Drauer]

You will not really have to worry too much - the races start at 5:00 AM. Thursday is a 5K at EPCOT, done before the parking lot even opens. Friday is a 10K also around EPCOT area. Saturday is half marathon which typically goes from EPCOT Drive to Magic Kingdom and back to finish at EPCOT. Roads to MK will be closed until about 8:00 AM, and roads to EPCOT closed a little longer. Would probably make AK day on Saturday, and EPCOT day earlier in the week. Only the full marathon on Sunday has closures on the roads that impact all 4 parks. There will be a map published on the RunDisney event page for marathon weekend later in December that shows you the road closures for each race.

 

[goin' again]

You will not really have to worry too much - the races start at 5:00 AM. Thursday is a 5K at EPCOT, done before the parking lot even opens. Friday is a 10K also around EPCOT area. Saturday is half marathon which typically goes from EPCOT Drive to Magic Kingdom and back to finish at EPCOT. Roads to MK will be closed until about 8:00 AM, and roads to EPCOT closed a little longer. Would probably make AK day on Saturday, and EPCOT day earlier in the week. Only the full marathon on Sunday has closures on the roads that impact all 4 parks. There will be a map published on the RunDisney event page for marathon weekend later in December that shows you the road closures for each race.

With so many races being near/around Epcot will that effect Epcot's attendance on those days? We are doing the parks those days as well.

 

[Mr. Drauer]

No, not really. Many runners do the races as part of a normal vacation and have their park plans set up just like everyone else. Those who will visit the parks tend to go back to their rooms and change before going out so just having a race finish at Epcot doesn't play into which parks people do visit. Only on Sunday, with the half finishing after the park opens will have a bit of different feel, and with the after party Sunday night, Epcot will be more crowded in the early evening (party guests can get in to the park at 5:00). Since it is Food and Wine, Epcot will already be really crowded in the World Showcase on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

 

[goin' again]

No, not really. Many runners do the races as part of a normal vacation and have their park plans set up just like everyone else. Those who will visit the parks tend to go back to their rooms and change before going out so just having a race finish at Epcot doesn't play into which parks people do visit. Only on Sunday, with the half finishing after the park opens will have a bit of different feel, and with the after party Sunday night, Epcot will be more crowded in the early evening (party guests can get in to the park at 5:00). Since it is Food and Wine, Epcot will already be really crowded in the World Showcase on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Thanks!