Should I Be Worried About The January Marathon Crowds

[MikeWazowski]

My family and I plan on staying in WDW from Jan. 8 to Jan. 18 2004. I have heard that there will be alot of people there during the days of the marathon.

Do the parks close on those days? Is there a noticable amount of people around WDW? Should I switch dates? We will be staying at the Poly, AKL, Or WL. Will they be full?

What to do, what to do. Thanks

 

[MissyinNM]

We were there this year during the marathon and although it was our first trip, we found the crowds to be very thin at the parks. We stayed at OKW and arrived the Friday before the marathon and I was a little worried as well. But we waited in line no longer than five minutes for most rides if we waited at all. But we left WDW on the Saturday before MKL Jr. Day and found the crowds became MUCH larger because of that, and I mean MUCH larger. But we thought it was a great time to go although I would avoid that holiday weekend.

 

[Kimbra]

Hi Mike,

My husband ran in the WDW Marathon this past January. I have to agree with the other post, the crowds were not a problem. We had nice weather upper 60's and very little wait in lines if any. I think a majority of your runners will be staying at the All-Star Resorts. Our family stayed at the All-Star Sports and we did notice quite a few other marathoners there. There was also a National Collegiate Cheer and Dance competition going on the weekend we were there. It was interesting to watch them practice their jumps and routines. Have Fun and don't worry!

Kimbra

 

[Luv2Roam]

Should I Be Worried About The January Marathon Crowds

Not at all.
Enjoy!

 

[opal]

We were there a couple of year ago during the marathon and except for a few people wearing medals around their neck, we would have not even known it was going on.

 

[Richyams]

We were there this year during the marathon. The parks were fine, the roads were awful.

We saw miles of stopped cars, miles and miles. Disney basses, cars, trucks, it looked like hours and hours.

Luckily, we were going the opposite way. I have never seen such traffic anywhere, I couldn't even imagine how long these people were delayed.

 

[Galahad]

We got stuck in the traffic for the marathon a couple of years ago. We were diverted behind MK, though a winding maze of roads and eventually out the back side (north) side of the property. Don't plan on getting from place to place by car on the day of the race.

 

[ducklite]

From about 2:00am until about noon on marathon Sunday you can expect major traffic problems, and some blocked off areas in the parks. Otherwise there shouldn't be any probelms. The AS resorts are not the official marathon resort, it's now CSR, although you'll find marathoners in every resort. In 2002 we were at the GF, 2003 we were at the BCV, and 2004 we'll be back to the BCV.

Anne

 

[bjakmom]

What about park crowds on Marathon Sunday? Does the marathon end at a particular park - and do the runners and families stay in the parks that day, or do they have breakfast and go back to bed since they've been up since the wee hours? We hope to be checked into BWV on Sat - which park would be our best choice on Sun? - I was planning on MK, but looks like I should rethink that so we don't have to be out in "traffic".

 

[MissyinNM]

We went to MK on mararthon Sunday and arrived at about 9 am. We did have to wait in traffic for about five minutes and the bus did not take us right to the entrance becuase the traffic was diverted around the runners. And we got there right as the marathon was coming through the park. But other than that, it was a fabulous day to go to the park. We waited in line for nothing.

 

[BrerMom]

We stayed on site and didn't have a problem. Crowds were only minimally more than during the week.

 

[Luv2Roam]

The marathon starts and stops at Epcot. I would avoid Epcot by car. Going by bus or monorail would be fine.
Cars are backed up entering Epcot during morning and early afternoon. Not only are there regular guests, but then you have people picking up some marathoners too at the finish line.
I was at MK marathon morning and had the place to myself. I even a had a private PotC boat ride!
Going into MK that morning, the bus did drop us off at TTC. Then we had to walk a longer (but not long) way around to avoid the runners. Then we rode the monorail into MK. Not a problem and worth it.