WDW Marathon ?s About Parks on that Day

[BCKatie02]

I've read that the marathon runners actually run through the theme parks for the marathon. Can anyone tell me if the parks are still open during this or how it affects things?

Thanks!

 

[**Tinker*Bell*7**]

I was there for the marathon in Jan.

Runners ran through the parks but except for MGM it was before they opened. MGM had little yellow cones lining the marathon route & CMs every few feet to act as crossing guards for guests. They even had characters out to cheer the runners on.

It wasn't too bad overall but I think if I go in Jan. again, I will schedule a different park for marathon day -- one that the runners will be done with by opening time.

3 days till i go back to the world!!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I don't think the runners really affect the park crowds much. We saw them running through the World Showcase in Epcot, it was neat!

 

[mortimor]

The runners dont affect the parks, but be aware of the traffic jam around opening time at MK. This last Jan, we got on the bus well before park opening and had to wait two hours on the bus in a traffic jam. When we able to start moving, we were dropped at the TTC instead of MK since the traffic was so bad. I don't know if this happens at all the parks or just MK. We were there in Jan a couple years ago and did not have a problem, but I don't remember what park we went to that morning. If you plan on visiting Universal, this would be a great day to go.

 

[WDWguru]

Word of advice: don't plan the Segway tour at Epcot for that morning! We had no idea and booked it at the last minute this past January. Unfortunately our start time was just about when all the runners starting going through the World Showcase. It was still great, but we had to stay in a narrow path for about half of the tour due to marathon lanes running through WS. On the other hand, the runners were all enjoying our little parade -- we even had more than a few offer us money for our Segways!