Marathon Sunday nightmare

[LAKid53]

No. I'm going in April, if on a Saturday morning, MK didn't open till 1pm because of runners, I would go apoplectic on management. There is no need for a new solution here. The system works adequately as it is.

Do you blow a fuse when the MK closes at 7pm because of a special event? One that you may not know about at the time you book your trip...because the dates haven't been released yet.

I think @MickeyMomV has a great suggestion. Open the parks later - probably just MK - and close later...but don't make the late closing EMH. I've visited several times when the MK closes at midnight or 1am...and then EMH had extended my time on the park another few hours.

It would only be 4 Saturdays and 1 Sunday each year - the 5 days the halfs and full marathon are run.

 

[xdan0920]

Do you blow a fuse when the MK closes at 7pm because of a special event? One that you may not know about at the time you book your trip...because the dates haven't been released yet.

I think @MickeyMomV has a great suggestion. Open the parks later - probably just MK - and close later...but don't make the late closing EMH. I've visited several times when the MK closes at midnight or 1am...and then EMH had extended my time on the park another few hours.

It would only be 4 Saturdays and 1 Sunday each year - the 5 days the halfs and full marathon are run.

Closing is different. The parks close at different times, all the time.

4 saturdays a year is 8% of the saturdays in a year. Yeah, that would be a big problem.

 

[LAKid53]

Closing is different. The parks close at different times, all the time.

4 saturdays a year is 8% of the saturdays in a year. Yeah, that would be a big problem.

So the MK opening 2 hours later at 11:00 am 5 announced days a year is going to give you a stroke?

 

[xdan0920]

So the MK opening 2 hours later at 11:00 am 5 announced days a year is going to give you a stroke?

No? Weird thing about the English language, words can have multiple meanings. Silly, I know. And yet, true!

Anyways. Arguing the merits of a race isn't why I joined WDWMagic eight years ago, so I'll leave it at this....

I wish all WDW races went kaput. You wish they started later and kept away the regular guests. We fundamentally disagree. It is what it is. Disney has a system in place that mostly works for everyone, so let's not get all crazy over it.

If any good has come of this though, I notice your name in other threads more, and I agree with most everything you post. So mayhaps I've made a friend.

 

[LAKid53]

I can definitely confirm marathon participants and their families spend ridiculous amounts of money for this event. In past years, WDW has offered some perks on race weekend - back in the early-mid 2000's, when Pleasure Island had an admission charge, they had an after party for runners there. They also tried re-opening DHS after hours for runners only (guest passes extra $$), but that was in 2010 when it was 30 degrees and the turnout wasn't great. Other years MK was open for EMH 'til midnight, which was probably the best and most economical idea. One year they had "Marathon Monday" where MK admission was free for runners. Morning EMH don't really work on race days, but evening hours seem like something feasible and...runners may be more likely to purchase that park pass when the parks are open later.

Remember when you also received a room discount - you made your resort reservation through runDisney?

 

[LAKid53]

No. I'm going in April, if on a Saturday morning, MK didn't open till 1pm because of runners, I would go apoplectic on management. There is no need for a new solution here. The system works adequately as it is.

Hope you're not visiting April 21st through April 23rd...that's Star Wars Dark Side Half weekend. And the week after Easter. Be prepared for road closings and high park attendance that weekend.

 

[xdan0920]

Hope you're not visiting April 21st through April 23rd...that's Star Wars Dark Side Half weekend. And the week after Easter. Be prepared for road closings and high park attendance that weekend.

Negative. April 7-13. If I'm honest though, I never would have known when I booked if there was a race.

 

[LAKid53]

Negative. April 7-13. If I'm honest though, I never would have known when I booked if there was a race.

Which is why several of us have suggested that Disney find a way to link race date info on the runDisney site with Disney's site. When you put a resort reservation in the cart, in addition to all the other options listed, a statement near the bottom letting you know that races will be run during your stay and to expect road closings and other delays... and perhaps the option to click on a link with more info.

Currently, the only race in 2018 listed on the runDisney website is the Marathon in early January. So someone planning a 2018 trip anytime after January 7, 2018 wouldn't have any info on races past those dates.

runDisney races aren't going to go away. A runner in last year's DLP Half mentioned that race officials hinted that a new nighttime (yay!) race would be coming. The races are becoming more and more popular and with the $$$$ (in the range of $10-$15 million in just race fees for each race weekend) generated, I can't see Disney discontinuing them.

Yes, the system in place works fine. Would be nice for non running guests if info could be provided about delays at time of booking. But as races continue to increase in popularity and if more races are added to the calendar, there may need to be review of current practices. As I've stated several times, runner and volunteer safety during the races IS the No. 1 priority.

 

[xdan0920]

Which is why several of us have suggested that Disney find a way to link race date info on the runDisney site with Disney's site. When you put a resort reservation in the cart, in addition to all the other options listed, a statement near the bottom letting you know that races will be run during your stay and to expect road closings and other delays... and perhaps the option to click on a link with more info.

I am a DVC member, so they would have to port that over to the DVC booking engine as well. We both know there is no chance of that happening though. I know the races aren't going anywhere in the immediate future, I just hope as they continue grow in popularity, Disney is able to manage the logistics in such a way that regular guests aren't negatively impacted.

 

[LAKid53]

I am a DVC member, so they would have to port that over to the DVC booking engine as well. We both know there is no chance of that happening though. I know the races aren't going anywhere in the immediate future, I just hope as they continue grow in popularity, Disney is able to manage the logistics in such a way that regular guests aren't negatively impacted.

If only Disney was able to link their regular travel engine with the DVC booking one....

 

[lukacseven]

...Would be nice for non running guests if info could be provided about delays at time of booking. But as races continue to increase in popularity and if more races are added to the calendar, there may need to be review of current practices. As I've stated several times, runner and volunteer safety during the races IS the No. 1 priority.

I don't think these said delays are necessarily planned or expected. In the past 10 years Disney has done a great job improving transportation on race days. Family members have had little to no issues with delays getting to parks on race day mornings. Any delays you may encounter are typically minimal. I think people are getting upset over something of an anomaly, blowing it out of proportion, and just want some sort of special treatment or compensation from WDW as a result. Nothing's perfect 100% of the time, but considering the scope of what they're doing, they do a darn good job.

 

[lukacseven]

The inaugural-and-only Disneyland Marathon in 1995 finished in the middle of the day on Main Street; park guests were kept on the sidewalk, and the world didn't come to a screeching halt.

Similarly, the first couple years of the WDW Marathon and 5K ended in Epcot on the bridge between Future World and World Showcase, though I can't find a photo at the moment

[Edit: if you're worried about missing light crowds early in the day, don't be. Runners won't be back in the parks until later, and they tend to leave the parks earlier than average too, making it very manageable for non-runners that weekend]

2006 was the last year for the 5k on Saturday afternoon. Back then, the half was a 6:30 start and the 5K was at noon - still the same course through Epcot during regular hours. I believe 2 years later they moved the half and full start times up to 5:30 because people complained that there were still runners in MK during normal hours. This allowed them to clear the last wave of runners, clear spectators and be able to do their rope drop performance without the race ruining it.

 

[21stamps]

2006 was the last year for the 5k on Saturday afternoon. Back then, the half was a 6:30 start and the 5K was at noon - still the same course through Epcot during regular hours. I believe 2 years later they moved the half and full start times up to 5:30 because people complained that there were still runners in MK during normal hours. This allowed them to clear the last wave of runners, clear spectators and be able to do their rope drop performance without the race ruining it.

What is the current time cut off?

I don't think these said delays are necessarily planned or expected. In the past 10 years Disney has done a great job improving transportation on race days. Family members have had little to no issues with delays getting to parks on race day mornings. Any delays you may encounter are typically minimal. I think people are getting upset over something of an anomaly, blowing it out of proportion, and just want some sort of special treatment or compensation from WDW as a result. Nothing's perfect 100% of the time, but considering the scope of what they're doing, they do a darn good job.

Agree.
I think somehow in the past few years if a vacation is less than 100% perfect then (some) people fly off the handle and expect compensation. I don't know if message boards are a huge contributing factor, or if such a mentality always existed, it's been shocking to read the past year though. Good rule of thumb- life can't always meet 100% of your expectations 100% of the time. Even at Disney World.
If someone figures out a way to control all things at all times- please, pass me the info. I'd love to never be stuck in traffic, never get stuck on a ride somewhere, never wait in a line, and never have the person walking in front of me just suddenly Stop.

 

[LAKid53]

I don't think these said delays are necessarily planned or expected. In the past 10 years Disney has done a great job improving transportation on race days. Family members have had little to no issues with delays getting to parks on race day mornings. Any delays you may encounter are typically minimal. I think people are getting upset over something of an anomaly, blowing it out of proportion, and just want some sort of special treatment or compensation from WDW as a result. Nothing's perfect 100% of the time, but considering the scope of what they're doing, they do a darn good job.

I agree, as a runDisney participant. Just trying to suggest better communication to help non runners. I'm sure the OP isn't the first...and won't be the last...to lodge a complaint with GS.

Personally, I'd like a later start time. But for our safety, that would mean later park opening, especially at MK. Which should be relayed to guests.

 

[LAKid53]

What is the current time cut off?

runDisney has a minium 16 minute mile pace. Slower than that, pacers will pick you up and take you to the finish line. The pacers, otherwise known as the Balloon Ladies, start when the last runners cross the start line.

So, at that pace, you need to finish a half marathon in 3.5 hours or less. Disney has staggered starting - fastest at the front, slowest (me ) in the rear. Say there are 5 corrals for a half marathon. Each corral starts 10 minutes apart. Race starts at 5:30am. Runners in last corral cross start line at 6:10 am (the very last runner to start is probably a few minutes later, but I'm keeping this simple). So if it takes the last runner to finish the race in 3.5 hours, that means they will cross the finish line at 9:40 am.

For a full marathon, the slowest runner should finish in just under 7 hours.

 

[21stamps]

runDisney has a minium 16 minute mile pace. Slower than that, pacers will pick you up and take you to the finish line. The pacers, otherwise known as the Balloon Ladies, start when the last runners cross the start line.

So, at that pace, you need to finish a half marathon in 3.5 hours or less. Disney has staggered starting fastest at the front, slowest (me. ) in the rear. Say there are 5 corrals for a half marathon. Each corral starts 10 minutes apart. Race starts at 5:30am. Runners in last corral cross start line at 6:10 (the very last runner to start is probably a few minutes later, but I'm keeping this simple). So if it takes the last runner to finish the race in 3.5 hours, that means they will cross the finish line at 9:40.

That's a decent amount of time given for a flat course. Does the large majority finish?

 

[LAKid53]

That's a decent amount of time given for a flat course. Does the large majority finish?

Not a flat course by any means. Running up that on ramp to World Drive from Buena Vista was a killer...not only were you running at an incline greater than most treadmills, you were running on a road with a slant to one side....and packed. I walked that part of the route. There are hills, trust me. Ramps and bridges, mainly.

Hard to know about % who finish. Disney posts the number of finishers for each race in the results, but I've not seen any stats for registrations to be able to compare against. @Texas84 or @dreamfinder, do you know if and where Disney posts registrations for each race? Bib numbers provide no clue.

 

[DisneyJeff]

If you get picked up by the "Balloon Ladies", do you still get a medal?

 

[LAKid53]

If you get picked up by the "Balloon Ladies", do you still get a medal?

You're not supposed to, since technically you didn't finish, but I've read where people have....

 

[21stamps]

Not a flat course by any means. Running up that on ramp to World Drive from Buena Vista was a killer...not only were you running at an incline greater than most treadmills, you were running on a road with a slant to one side....and packed. I walked that part of the route. There are hills, trust me. Ramps and bridges, mainly.

Hard to know about % who finish. Disney posts the number of finishers for each race in the results, but I've not seen any stats for registrations to be able to compare against. @Texas84 or @dreamfinder, do you know if and where Disney posts registrations for each race? Bib numbers provide no clue.

I hate hills. Hate is too light of a word. It's why there are many races that I have no interest in ever participating in.
Here's the course of the only one I've ever done. Did I mention that I HATE hills? Luckily they're in the beginning of the course. But omg they suck. Other races in driving distance have much worse hills, which is again, why I would never do one.lol

I'm really interested in the Disney one. It sounds like so much fun and would be a great ✔ in life. I just don't know if I want to spend a vacation following such a strict schedule..don't know if I would be able to go to sleep early evening while at WDW. I'm definitely intrigued though. Do a lot of people stop along the way to meet characters? The photos look so neat, but does that throw off your pace?

I'm trying to google a course map, with the elevation, for the Disney marathon, or even a half, does anyone have a photo?
Do the 13.1 peeps get to do the after hours festivities, or only the full participants?