WDW Marathon Weekend

[butterfly71076]

Anyone been during Marathon Weekend? How does that effect the crowds at the parks/resorts? Is it a time to avoid? Or is it kind of like Pop Warner, where you don't see much difference? Thanks!

 

[Run princess]

As with anything it comes down to perspective. We participate in Marathon weekend and I usually vacation in Disney in the summer. So I haven't been bogged down by the races, because I'm running or spectating, and I'm used to very high crowd levels in the summer.

I never find it to be crowded or unmanageable. It's always been very nice. I will say the Sunday which is the marathon day can make travel around property a nightmare until at least 2 in the afternoon because of road closures. So definetly plan accordingly and don't try and make a 11:00AM ADR at Animal Kingdom lodge because you won't get there!

 

[jimandami]

We have been a couple times during marathon weekend and it's a great time to go! The marathon doesn't really affect crowd levels but you will want to be aware that travel may be disrupted on the Sunday because the marathon runs from 5:30 AM to the early afternoon and goes to all 4 parks. Also, Epcot can sometimes be a bit crowded that night or the next day with runners drinking around the world to celebrate!

 

[rymahoney]

We have been the last two years for days leading up to marathon and the entire week after. I am the minority by saying I think marathon does affect crowd levels. Especially the weekend and a couple days leading up to and right after. I noticed mostly while in MK. Still very manageable though. I still think it's even better the next few weeks after with the exception of the holiday which I think is Mlk Day. We have decided to go at a different time this year. Partially due to the overall amount of people there to run and partially due to weather. That time of year can be very different day to day.

 

[AmyB2006]

Yeah, if you plan on driving your own vehicle, you need to be aware of alternate routes on the morning of the races. Traffic is rerouted.

It might also take longer to get places using Disney transportation as well.

But as long as you're aware of that, I don't think you'll notice too much "infringement" on anything else as far as crowds.

 

[butterfly71076]

Thanks so much everyone! Sounds like it could be completely manageable. I appreciate all the advice!

 

[dawnhaze]

My birthday generally falls between the marathon weekend and MLK weekend, so when I planned my 11-day birthday trip last year, I chose to stay over marathon weekend instead of MLK because I was told it was less crowded. I obviously can't compare the two myself, but the crowds over the marathon weekend were nowhere near what I've seen in August or even October, so I was happy.

The traffic and the transit disruptions were the main inconvenience. I don't drive, but buses did sit in heavier traffic, and getting to Epcot on the weekend mornings was a nightmare. (I should have planned better.)

Overall, I don't think it's a bad time to go, if you plan around it properly. It's pretty cool to see all the runners with their medals after the races.

 

[Eastern]

I am planning a trip the week before. Would it be best to depart WDW before the weekend, on a Friday? And is Saturday better than Sunday for departure, traffic-wise?

 

[holcomb-mania]

Saturday is probably better, but only marginally. WDW does a great job organizing the races, including the impact to the parks. Most of the races are early enough that they do not impact the parks at all, but the marathon had runners in the AK, HS, and EP areas well into the early afternoon (we ate at Beaches and Cream after I finished then went out to cheer on the runners).

As for crowds, it honestly was the most relaxed trip to WDW we've had. Granted, it was just DW and myself and we can tour pretty efficiently, but I ran races each day and then we'd go to the parks and crowds weren't bad at all, IMO.