Disney World Orlando Visiting Forum

hersheyfolks · 04-09-2008, 12:57 PM

We are taking our family to Walt Disney World for the first time from 1/3/09-1/10/09 and have just found out that the WDW Marathon is scheduled for 1/8/09-1/11/09. Has anyone ever been at the parks during the marathon?
How will this affect our time in the parks?
Does the marathon close any parts or attractions?
We have no desire to take part in the marathon or health expos that I have read go along with it.
If it helps, we are staying at the Fort Wilderness campground in our RV.
I really appreciate any insights offered on the marathon (or frankly anything regarding this trip)
Thank you!

spondishy · 04-09-2008, 03:28 PM

The biggest impact will be on road closures and accommodation. As you have your accommodation sorted, I'd suggest sticking to Disney Transportation as some roads into WDW are closed and parts of the car-parks are cordoned off.

The marathon and half marathon starts at 6AM, with the runs starting at ending at Epcot it might be best to avoid Epcot on those days although Epcot won't open until 9AM anyhow. I believe the Goofy Challenge is held solely at Animal Kingdom, so just avoid that park on the day of the run.

Remember also, that January is typically the slowest time at the parks (excluding the Martin Luther King Weekend) and most of the runners will leave Sunday/Monday.

I'd also probably try to avoid Italian Restaurants the night before the marathon. All the runners will probably be trying to load up with carbs

.

minstrel · 04-09-2008, 03:32 PM

How about you avoid the Disney parks all together on the main day of the Marathon and head up to either Seaworld or Universal Studios?

04-09-2008, 12:57 PM	#1
hersheyfolks Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1	Impact of WDW Marathon on visitors We are taking our family to Walt Disney World for the first time from 1/3/09-1/10/09 and have just found out that the WDW Marathon is scheduled for 1/8/09-1/11/09. Has anyone ever been at the parks during the marathon? How will this affect our time in the parks? Does the marathon close any parts or attractions? We have no desire to take part in the marathon or health expos that I have read go along with it. If it helps, we are staying at the Fort Wilderness campground in our RV. I really appreciate any insights offered on the marathon (or frankly anything regarding this trip) Thank you!

04-09-2008, 03:28 PM	#2
spondishy Administrator Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 397	Re: Impact of WDW Marathon on visitors The biggest impact will be on road closures and accommodation. As you have your accommodation sorted, I'd suggest sticking to Disney Transportation as some roads into WDW are closed and parts of the car-parks are cordoned off. The marathon and half marathon starts at 6AM, with the runs starting at ending at Epcot it might be best to avoid Epcot on those days although Epcot won't open until 9AM anyhow. I believe the Goofy Challenge is held solely at Animal Kingdom, so just avoid that park on the day of the run. Remember also, that January is typically the slowest time at the parks (excluding the Martin Luther King Weekend) and most of the runners will leave Sunday/Monday. I'd also probably try to avoid Italian Restaurants the night before the marathon. All the runners will probably be trying to load up with carbs .

04-09-2008, 03:32 PM	#3
minstrel Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 56	Re: Impact of WDW Marathon on visitors How about you avoid the Disney parks all together on the main day of the Marathon and head up to either Seaworld or Universal Studios?

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Disney World Orlando Visiting Forum

Impact of WDW Marathon on visitors