RunDisney Weekend for Non-Racers

[DrankTheKool-Aid]

We have a week long trip planned from April 13-22 and the last part of the week coincides with the Star Wars Half Marathon. We are not participating in any of the races but I am wondering if we need to account for any of the events as I start planning out our days before booking ADRs.

Should we be avoiding any parks on certain days or specific times of the day? Are morning EMHs/rope drop still a good idea or will it be very busy with the early morning races? We are staying at Pop and using Disney transportation. Any tips or advice for navigating a race weekend would be much appreciated! Thank you

 

[Mr. Drauer]

There is not really any affect from the races on the parks. The races begin very early (5:30) and things are pretty much wrapped up prior to the parks getting going, with the exception of Sunday at Epcot with the half marathon, which comes through the park to finish in the parking lot. It will be over by around 10:30 or so. There are some minor road closures in the early mornings of Saturday and Sunday but it doesn't really impact traveling to the parks on WDW buses. There is not an appreciable change in the crowds size at the parks. The races do not go through the Magic Kingdom, so there is no impact there, and only briefly through the other parks (Saturday's 10K hit HS and Epcot, Sunday's half hit AK, HS, and Epcot) but all very early in the morning. The 5K on Friday was only Epcot and the Boardwalk. You will not notice much disruption to your planned schedule unless you are doing Epcot early on Sunday. Enjoy your trip.

 

[Stacybaeasm]

The biggest impact will be to travel times the morning of the half marathon (because those of us who are slower runners will still be trying to get our butts across the finish line). Allow for extra time to get places in the am. I'm not sure of the route for the Star Wars half, but if it is like Princess, the biggest hold ups are by MK and Epcot. If you see some people still running, stop and give them some encouragement or a cheer. They've been standing in a corral and running since about 4 am and believe me, they are tired and ready to be finished.

 

[rteetz]

We have a week long trip planned from April 13-22 and the last part of the week coincides with the Star Wars Half Marathon. We are not participating in any of the races but I am wondering if we need to account for any of the events as I start planning out our days before booking ADRs.

Should we be avoiding any parks on certain days or specific times of the day? Are morning EMHs/rope drop still a good idea or will it be very busy with the early morning races? We are staying at Pop and using Disney transportation. Any tips or advice for navigating a race weekend would be much appreciated! Thank you

You shouldn't have much if any issues. This time frame without the race weekend is generally busy due to the Spring Break time. The biggest thing you might see is transportation the morning of the half marathon. Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom will have little to no impact as the runners will be out of that area before park opening anyways. Epcot is where the finish is located and might have some impacts if that is where you are planning to go. If not you should be fine.

 

[DrankTheKool-Aid]

Thank you all for the responses! We have Sunday planned as a resort day since we fly out that afternoon and it sounds like I can move forward planning the rest of the weekend as I would for any other day. Thanks again!