How are the crowds during Jan Marathon Weekend??

[Lynn5700]

Have any of you done any of the marathons? How is transportation. Do they have buses to get to world wide of sports complex to pick up your packets? And how about the day of the race? Do the buses run that early?

We're staying at SSR, so not sure if we should rent a car or not. Thanks.



*I changed the title for one of the posters question*

Hope you get an answer.

[bekkiz]

We did the 1/2 in 2008. Yes, there are buses to the WWOS from the hotels. If I remember correctly, there are special stops set up just for race related buses. The morning of the race, the buses start at around 3 am or so. I think the last bus is at 4 am. I can't remember exactly, but it will say in the race guide.

We rented a car because a) I got it for like $100 for the week and b) I wanted to be able to hightail it out of the Epcot parking lot without having to wait for another bus. But the way the transportation is set up, you really don't need a car.

[Lynn5700]

Ok cool. Thank you.

Where do you recommend we rent a car from? I have heard that you can pick up your car at Disney???

[wdwrich]

I have heard that you can pick up your car at Disney???

You can rent from National/Alamo at the Disney Car Care Center (on World Drive south of the MK parking lots). There are also rental agency desks at the Dolphin and Shades of Green. We've used National at the Car Care Center. They provide free shuttle service to/from your WDW resort.

[ntsammy5]

There are buses all over the place - they bring in lots more specifically for the marathon. We stayed at SoG and rented a car at MCO - but there was transportation everyplace if you needed it.

[janets]

Can anyone tell me what the crowds are like during marathon weekend? I have friends considering coming down for the week that would include marathon weekend and we are trying to decide if crowds will be worse during this week or during the week that includes MLK weekend.

Anyone have any input?

[Deb & Bill]

Originally Posted by janets

Can anyone tell me what the crowds are like during marathon weekend? I have friends considering coming down for the week that would include marathon weekend and we are trying to decide if crowds will be worse during this week or during the week that includes MLK weekend.

Anyone have any input?

Crowds at the parks aren't really that bad. It's just hard getting to the MK and Epcot on those mornings.

[EAWildman]

We have been down in WDW in January twice and both times were over the Marathon Weekend. I didn't think the crowds were bad either time (2006 and 2009). You could tell a difference on the weekend days...there were more people than during the week. But, many people are so busy during the actual races, that the parks remain pretty low.

As mentioned earlier, the trick is getting to the parks the morning of the full marathon. Roads are closed and even Disney transportation is rerouted. So, plan accordingly.

I love going in January. From the sounds of it...MLK weekend is much more crowded than Marathon weekend. And most of the people who run are so nice and fun to talk to too!

Eric

[mountdew1]

Originally Posted by Lynn5700

Have any of you done any of the marathons? How is transportation. Do they have buses to get to world wide of sports complex to pick up your packets? And how about the day of the race? Do the buses run that early?

We're staying at SSR, so not sure if we should rent a car or not. Thanks.



*I changed the title for one of the posters question*

Hope you get an answer.

They contract for extra buses from Mears and other bus companies in the area. Every resort should have a station with signage, and the buses leave pretty regularly, for both the Expo, as well as the actual races. Getting to the expo at peak times can be tough as the limited parking fills up with cars, and backs up traffic even though the buses are just trying to drop off/pick up. The buses start several hours before the race, and they actually expect you to be on a bus by 4 I think since they start closing roads about 4:30ish. Either way, bus or car, make sure to leave early cause once they start closing roads, you are outta luck even if you are in the race.

Originally Posted by janets

Can anyone tell me what the crowds are like during marathon weekend? I have friends considering coming down for the week that would include marathon weekend and we are trying to decide if crowds will be worse during this week or during the week that includes MLK weekend.

Anyone have any input?

Crowds during marathon weekend aren't that bad in the parks. Most of the runners won't go to the parks afterwards (it's tough enough to walk around at that point). Restaurants and hotels will be busy, but the actual weekend should be a bit slow as far as park crowds go. Just make sure to allow for extra time in the mornings to get to wherever you are going due to the road closures.