January Marathon questions

[fmingo36]

So does anyone know how many people run the full marathon in January?

Are the parks open to the public during the race? (I really loved having people cheering us on during the Princess 1/2 this year and I was a little disappointed by the lack of spectators during the Wine and Dine)

Are there more "hard-core" runners than casual runners/walkers.

Are the parks really busy on Marathon Monday?

And most importantly-Can I get my FP for Toy Story Mania when I run through DHS?-:lol:

 

[lukacseven]

So does anyone know how many people run the full marathon in January?

Are the parks open to the public during the race? (I really loved having people cheering us on during the Princess 1/2 this year and I was a little disappointed by the lack of spectators during the Wine and Dine)

Are there more "hard-core" runners than casual runners/walkers.

Are the parks really busy on Marathon Monday?

And most importantly-Can I get my FP for Toy Story Mania when I run through DHS?-:lol:

1. I believe each race usually has about 16,000 participants. This coming January, I would expect less, based on the registration numbers so far.

2. The parks are operate normal hours during the race. MK is open to spectators for the race before ride start running. Access is restricted to Main Street only until the park officially opens. The course is roped off in all parks to allow guests to still get to attractions. There are several areas where spectators typically gather - Mile 2 entrance to Epcot/monorail station, Mile 1 & 4 along Epcot Center Drive, Ticket and Transit Center, Main street, Grand Floridian, Entrance to Animal Kingdom, Finish line.

3. The half-marathon has probably more walkers than any race I've ever seen. There are a fair number of walkers in the marathon, as well, but not as much as the half.

4. Of all the marathon days, Friday is probably the most crowded. Keep in mind that this is the first year Disney is offering the free admission on Monday, so attendance might be up a bit, especially depending on what park you are planning to visit.

5. Don't know if you can get the fast pass or not. In theory, the ride should be open, but it is not on the course - you'll have to deviate to do so. It also might be tough to make it back to HS in time for your FP time. You may just want to see what the line is like and go on the ride during the marathon.

 

[fmingo36]

1. I believe each race usually has about 16,000 participants. This coming January, I would expect less, based on the registration numbers so far.

2. The parks are operate normal hours during the race. MK is open to spectators for the race before ride start running. Access is restricted to Main Street only until the park officially opens. The course is roped off in all parks to allow guests to still get to attractions. There are several areas where spectators typically gather - Mile 2 entrance to Epcot/monorail station, Mile 1 & 4 along Epcot Center Drive, Ticket and Transit Center, Main street, Grand Floridian, Entrance to Animal Kingdom, Finish line.

3. The half-marathon has probably more walkers than any race I've ever seen. There are a fair number of walkers in the marathon, as well, but not as much as the half.

4. Of all the marathon days, Friday is probably the most crowded. Keep in mind that this is the first year Disney is offering the free admission on Monday, so attendance might be up a bit, especially depending on what park you are planning to visit.

5. Don't know if you can get the fast pass or not. In theory, the ride should be open, but it is not on the course - you'll have to deviate to do so. It also might be tough to make it back to HS in time for your FP time. You may just want to see what the line is like and go on the ride during the marathon.

Now that's an idea!

Thanks for your answers :wave:

 

[Midnight Garden]

One thing to consider about a Fast Pass – you won’t have an activated park ticket on you to put into the machine to get a fast pass. You have to enter through the DHS turnstiles that morning on a park ticket in order to use your ticket on the Fast Pass machines – which you will not be doing. So, I don’t think you’ll be able to grab a FP.

 

[lukacseven]

The marathon does go right past the entrance to Expedition Everest. I've seen runners get in the queue line for the ride during the race.

 

[fmingo36]

One thing to consider about a Fast Pass – you won’t have an activated park ticket on you to put into the machine to get a fast pass. You have to enter through the DHS turnstiles that morning on a park ticket in order to use your ticket on the Fast Pass machines – which you will not be doing. So, I don’t think you’ll be able to grab a FP.

I was kidding about the FP.

 

[fmingo36]

The marathon does go right past the entrance to Expedition Everest. I've seen runners get in the queue line for the ride during the race.

I was wondering if people strayed off the course once the parks were open. I would think that a racing bib would give the cast members a heads-up that you didn't use a park ticket to gain admittance that day.

 

[dreamfinder]

I was wondering if people strayed off the course once the parks were open. I would think that a racing bib would give the cast members a heads-up that you didn't use a park ticket to gain admittance that day.

I imagine some people do. Especially once the parks start to open. Even when MK is closed you will still see people darting off to go to the bathroom. As some have multiple ways in you could easily duck in one side, take off your number and head out the other. But look at the numbers. $130ish minimum for the half or full (depending on the race and time you register) vs $85 to get in the park. Even if you bail and take off your number, you more than paid for your ticket. So you lose by not getting your bling.

 

[lukacseven]

I see a lot of people who use the restrooms inside the parks. As far as straying off course for other reasons, other than Everest, I don't think I've seen people going off anywhere else, or can think of a reason they would want to. The attractions at MK are usually not operating yet at the time you run through, but the other parks will be later in the race.

I actually did try to stop at the Mexico pavillion one year, as I was approaching the finish, but they weren't open yet.

 

[fmingo36]

I imagine some people do. Especially once the parks start to open. Even when MK is closed you will still see people darting off to go to the bathroom. As some have multiple ways in you could easily duck in one side, take off your number and head out the other. But look at the numbers. $130ish minimum for the half or full (depending on the race and time you register) vs $85 to get in the park. Even if you bail and take off your number, you more than paid for your ticket. So you lose by not getting your bling.

I don't think I'd stay in the park, but it would be kinda of fun to say "So I was running the marathon and was getting tired. Instead of walking for a bit I decided to jump on Tower of Terror and give my legs a rest."

 

[MKCP 1985]

Here's a question - How close are the Marathon weekend races getting to being full?

Ooh, good question! :lol:


Here's the answer, straight from the Disney racing website:

* Marathon - 89% Full
* Half Marathon - 92% Full
* Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge - 89% Full
* Buzz and Woody's Best Friends 5K - 90% Full
* Mickey's Marathon Kids' Fest - 72% Full

Historically, once these races get to 90%, they close pretty quickly. Anyone on the fence, thinking of signing up needs to jump on in.

 

[lukacseven]

For a while, it wasn't looking like the races would sell out, since the previous years the half and Goofy Challenge usually sold out by June. Glad to see the races filling up. Now we just need the weather to cooperate.

 

[fmingo36]

For a while, it wasn't looking like the races would sell out, since the previous years the half and Goofy Challenge usually sold out by June. Glad to see the races filling up. Now we just need the weather to cooperate.

I know last year the weather was unbearably cold and miserable, but what is the weather usually like during Marathon weekend?

 

[lukacseven]

I know last year the weather was unbearably cold and miserable, but what is the weather usually like during Marathon weekend?

In '06 the temperatures were in the 30's at the race start, but it did warm up into the high 50's. This did not seem as bad running as last year, because it was not windy or damp, but the cold spell was rather sudden, so I don't think people packed/prepared as well. In '07, the temp at the marathon start was in the mid-high 80's and humid. '08 & '09 were really nice - temps at the start were in the high 50's/low 60's and it warmed up into the 70's.

Obviously last year was freezing. Disney did send out a series of emails the week before the races regarding the weather forecast. Despite the warnings, I had packed alot of gear, which I planned on shedding, but ended up wearing for the whole race. Even in the sun, it never really warmed up. I guess this makes sense, given it was the coldest day in Orlando's history.

I'm operating under the assumption that it can't possibly be any colder in 2011.

 

[Phonedave]

I don't think I'd stay in the park, but it would be kinda of fun to say "So I was running the marathon and was getting tired. Instead of walking for a bit I decided to jump on Tower of Terror and give my legs a rest."

Because that drop forces all the pooled fluids out of your legs back into your core - refreshing your legs





OK so it sounded good. :lookaroun

-dave

 

[fmingo36]

Because that drop forces all the pooled fluids out of your legs back into your core - refreshing your legs





OK so it sounded good. :lookaroun

-dave

Dave,

I'll do it if you will.

 

[JillC LI]

And most importantly-Can I get my FP for Toy Story Mania when I run through DHS?-:lol:

LOL, I love how most people jumped on this question among all the others! I thought that was a great question! :lol:

 

[fmingo36]

LOL, I love how most people jumped on this question among all the others! I thought that was a great question! :lol:

Personally I think on Marathon Monday if you are wearing your Mickey medal than you should be able to use the fast pass lanes.

 

[lukacseven]

Personally I think on Marathon Monday if you are wearing your Mickey medal than you should be able to use the fast pass lanes.

It's fun to see someone on Tower of Terror wearing their medal...and getting smacked in the face with it.

 

[MKCP 1985]

how about free admission with Donald :king:

free park hopping with Mickey :king::king:

free fastpasses with Goofy? :sohappy:

Easy for ME to say! :lol: