Triathlon Weekend Sept. 22-24 - does it affect crowd levels?

[disneypharm]

Has anyone been to WDW during the triathlon weekend Sept. 22-24? I just noticed that I'll be there during that time. Does this event affect crowd levels?

 

[KingdomHeartsFan]

I'm bumping this because we will be at the World that weekend as well and really hope it does not interfere too badly with our plans. What parks does this affect? We are planning on being at MK on the 22nd, Epcot on the 23rd, and MGM on the 24th!

 

[Judge Fudge]

We'll, I guess they will beat us to Everest...LOL

 

[disneypharm]

Any information?

 

[QueenGoblin]

This is funny...we were there in May of 05 and there was a half Ironman triathalon going on that week, and now we are going to be there the 17-23rd and apparently there is another race!
I'm not sure if the September race is the same as the May one, but I can say the May race caused very few problems for us. The only thing that was a bit rough was the transportation around FW (where we were staying). They didn't have boat service to MK during the swim and they had to reroute some of the buses to avoid runners/bikers. They did have signs up before hand and during the event to tell you how to get around. I think a lot of the issues we had were due to the fact that we were in FW...people at other resorts probably didn't even notice.
As far as impact on the parks, I really didn't notice a difference as far as attendance. The crowds were pretty light the whole week we were there. We overheard some of the athletes talking with their families about the race, so we know they were there, but it wasn't enough people to make the parks seem more crowded.
My only problem will be keeping my marathon running hubby from wanting to join the racers.
ETA: I don't think the May race went "through" any of the parks, just the resort areas, and mostly around FW. I don't think you need to worry about runners hurtling down Main Street or anything like that.

 

[disneypharm]

This is funny...we were there in May of 05 and there was a half Ironman triathalon going on that week, and now we are going to be there the 17-23rd and apparently there is another race!
I'm not sure if the September race is the same as the May one, but I can say the May race caused very few problems for us. The only thing that was a bit rough was the transportation around FW (where we were staying). They didn't have boat service to MK during the swim and they had to reroute some of the buses to avoid runners/bikers. They did have signs up before hand and during the event to tell you how to get around. I think a lot of the issues we had were due to the fact that we were in FW...people at other resorts probably didn't even notice.
As far as impact on the parks, I really didn't notice a difference as far as attendance. The crowds were pretty light the whole week we were there. We overheard some of the athletes talking with their families about the race, so we know they were there, but it wasn't enough people to make the parks seem more crowded.
My only problem will be keeping my marathon running hubby from wanting to join the racers.

Thank you for the information.

 

[QueenGoblin]

Ok, I was wrong! The run does appear to go around the Worldshowcase lagoon at EPCOT on Sunday. When DH heard there was a race that weekend he made me look it up, just in case he wanted to participate. I'm not sure if the May race went through EPCOT too, we weren't in that park that day. The May race was also longer since it was a half Ironman, so I would think this one probably will have less of an impact on transportation etc, because the distances are shorter (then again, maybe it appeals to slower athletes .
If you go to the Disney Wide World of Sports website you can find maps of the course, etc. It looks like the loop around the lagoon at EPCOT is the only time the racers are in the parks. But there is lots of info on that site for those of you who want to be sure to avoid the event (or if you want to go cheer them on). It is only 1500 participants so it is not like the NY marathon or anything.

 

[KingdomHeartsFan]

We are planning on being at Epcot on Saturday, so maybe the triathlon will not affect us much... Thanks for the info!

 

[disneypharm]

Thanks too. We are going to MGM on Sunday, so hopefully, it wouldn't affect us either.

 

[strmtroopr96]

Just wanted to add that we will be at MGM on Sunday as well! See you all there!