Tinker Bell Half Marathon effect on crowds

[djk]

We will be staying in Anaheim May 2-9 with five days planned at DL/DCA and 1 day to either relax by the pool and explore Downtown Disney or take a day trip to Sea World (plus travel days). In an attempt to weigh options for which day to not visit the parks, I'm wondering to what extent - and on which days - crowds are impacted by the Tinker Bell Half Marathon. For any of you runners who read this post... how much time - and when - will you be in the parks? Or are you mostly busy preparing for and participating in race festivities outside the park gates?

I really hope this post doesn't offend to any marathon runners. I'm not trying to avoid you for any personal reasons. I admire and envy your high level of fitness! I am just trying to avoid the more crowded times and longer lines. Really!

 

[kim3339]

It's hard to guesstimate the crowds b/c this is the 1st time that the race has been on this weekend. Runners will start to come on Thursday and more on Friday. Thursday and at the very least Friday morning in the parks should be fine as most runners will most likely be at the expo. Friday afternoon, you'll notice an increase in the crowds though. Saturday morning and mid-afternoon runners will most likely be in the parks, but Sat night most of them will be back at the hotel. Past race weekends, on the Saturdays I've gone in and haven't noticed a big crowd until mid-morning around 10 or so when the park opens at 8. I get in Thursday afternoon and will be in the parks then pretty all day Friday and Sat morning, going back to the room around lunchtime Sat. If you're planning sit-down meals at places like Wine Country in DCA or Naples in DTD Fri or Sat, I'd make reservations, b/c the lines and waits for places like that will get really crowded really fast.

Race-wise, the parks will be clear and open w/ no problems at normal park opening. They have the park part of the race done first so it doesn't interfere w/ the other guests. You might run into some road closures on Sat morning early on depending on what time you are leaving or going into the park, but they should be up and running like normal around 9 or so.

 

[SMD]

As PP said, it's hard to predict because it's the first race weekend DL has had in May. However, Mother's Day weekend, especially Sunday was always very popular. Disney sells packages that include park tickets. They hold private parties in the parks. Race weekends are all very popular. Typically races are on 3 day weekends and crowds are impacted Thursday - Monday, with a little trickle on Tuesday. With this not being a 3 day weekend, it may impact Monday less. In addition to road closures there may be areas of DTD or areas around DLH that will be blocked due to the events and race route.

 

[jina]

We are running the 5K Friday morning, arrive Thurs morning and plan to be at the parks Thurs afternoon, Fri morning, Fri evening and Sat morning. We fly home Sat afternoon before the mother's day crowds (hopefully!). It's our first rundisney event and we are so excited!

 

[dec2009mama]

we are in the parks from sunday may 3 to sunday may 10 -- NOT sat may 9 (our APs are blocked) and we fly home Monday May 11.

the travel plans of runners have so many variables:
distance they have to travel to get to DL?
ability to get time off of work?
which races they are running?

I would say Thursday to Sunday will be the worst -- Monday it will start to slow down since many will either travel home Sunday afternoon or Monday.

Friday night will be the Pasta Party in the Park

 

[auteur55]

Yes we just changed our trip from August to May 3-8th. So disappointed when I heard this marathon was happening. We are thinking of changing one of our day in the parks from that Friday the 8th to Sunday the 3rd. We usually would never go to DL on a weekend but was wondering if it may be less crowds then the Friday of the marathon. I assume Thursday won't be affected to much. Can anyone confirm? Thanks

 

[SMD]

So, again, this is the first ever May race weekend. But most 5K runners and many runners from the other races will pick up their bibs on Thursday at the expo. They'll also get any park tickets they bought and many are APs. Thursday afternoon and night crowds are heavy on race weekends. I would not describe it as not affected much. On Star Wars weekend, even DTD was crowded on Thursday night. Many runners have no problem going to a theme park the night before a 5K.

 

[auteur55]

It's almost impossible to plan a week anymore at Disneyland without running into several closures or some event. I'm one of those that find the park completely unbearable when it is over crowded. I'll never forget being literally stuck in a bottleneck in Adventureland where we didn't even move for what felt like 30 minutes. But I think Disney now is just a place that has been over run. Why are they doing marathons at a theme park? How have normal Sundays been in May?

 

[djk]

Thanks for all the replies so far.

Friday night will be the Pasta Party in the Park

When and where does this take place?

 

[SMD]

Thanks for all the replies so far.



When and where does this take place?

For Tink it's in DCA. The specifics are on the runDisney site.

 

[ludari]

Typically race weekends will cause the normal park crowds to grow. Not only to do you have the runners but their friends and families not to mention it's mother's day weekend as well. As a frequent runDisney participant I will be at the parks from Thursday until Monday. I do have to pick up my race package at the expo at the Disneyland hotel on Thursday but I spend the rest of my time in the parks and DTD. Since I will be doing the 5K, 10K and half I will have to get up early to get in the corrals so I do leave the parks and DTD early to rest and get to bed early. If you are staying at any of the Disney resorts or local hotels it might be a good idea to call your hotel to confirm road closure times.