There are both LE and CMs, along with numerous signs put up the night before each race, along the race routes. runDisney does its best to lessen the impact of the races, which is why they start so bloody early in the AM....
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Marathon Sunday nightmare
- Thread starter djdan888
- Start date
There are both LE and CMs, along with numerous signs put up the night before each race, along the race routes. runDisney does its best to lessen the impact of the races, which is why they start so bloody early in the AM....
AndrewsJ
Well-Known Member
Same thing here.
BigRedDad
Well-Known Member
Only an hour and a half? I envy you.
I understand what you went through. Same thing happened to us from CSR. They did not put the signs out warning of the marathon and that it would take hours to get to Epcot or MK. After being stuck in traffic for over an hour to get to TTC, we were stuck in it again to get out to go to DHS. Between waiting for a bus and eventually getting to DHS, it was 3.5 hours.
Disney does need to better warn about marathon traffic. The CSR Senior Manager was very apologetic to us and we were not the only ones. I now make it a point to see if there are marathons when we go.
I understand what you went through. Same thing happened to us from CSR. They did not put the signs out warning of the marathon and that it would take hours to get to Epcot or MK. After being stuck in traffic for over an hour to get to TTC, we were stuck in it again to get out to go to DHS. Between waiting for a bus and eventually getting to DHS, it was 3.5 hours.
Disney does need to better warn about marathon traffic. The CSR Senior Manager was very apologetic to us and we were not the only ones. I now make it a point to see if there are marathons when we go.
They put up those lighted traffic signs you see on the roads used for construction...they go up the evening before, along with traffic cones. While the signs don't give the reason for lane closures, they do state that lanes will be closed. See them every time I come down for a race.
One thing Disney could do is have a pop up when a guest makes a reservation online during any of the race weekends. And as it gets close to the race weekend, maybe something on the home page of their website....something like "Please be advised of traffic delays and road closures due to the (race name) on (dates). Please plan according and allow sufficient time to get to your destination. In addition, we anticipate increased attendance at the parks during race weekend [all us runners showing off our medals, lol]. Have a Magical Day!" That would help guests unfamiliar with the fact major races are run at WDW in January, February, April and November. And there's talk about an additional race in the evening. Just know, runDisney races are very popular. While many, like me, run multiple races, I'd estimate there are at least 30,000 - 35,000 runners total for each race weekend. And add to that their families & friends.
FerretAfros
Well-Known Member
Runner's perspective:
Disney does their best to minimize the impact of races on the operation of the theme parks; that's why they start at 5:30am. This, in turn, means that most runners are leaving their hotel rooms by around 3:30am to make it to the start line on time
Because of this, I have very little sympathy for people who are inconvenienced by the resulting traffic. If I'm finishing races when it's still dark outside (on my vacation, mind you) multiple days in a row so that you can get to the theme park easier, you can give a little on your end too
In my experience, Disney makes it abundantly clear that there are races going on. Upon arrival at my hotel (Riverside), there were signs in the lobby, flyers and spoken instructions upon check-in, and daily messages on our room's phone about the impacts it would have on park goers. Variable message signs are placed along roads that will be impacted in the days before the event. Additionally, just looking at the crowds of people wearing race shirts and medals in the parks (making them moderately busy during the otherwise-offseason) should be a clue as well
I know that nobody likes traffic impacts, but considering that these are some of the largest running events in the country, Disney does a remarkably good job of minimizing the pain for non-runners. The Marathon brings a special kind of hell for everybody because the impacts are resort-wide and stretch well into the afternoon, but it's only one day a year, and I assure you that the people still running 6-7 hours into the event are in far more pain and stress than you
Furthermore, I'm not even sure that they had a welcome show at MK on Sunday. They open Main Street to spectators for the race, and it's a notoriously tight turnaround to get them out of the park in time to let the paying crowds in for the day (to the point that runners have been redirected away from Main Street on occasion). Doing some quick math based on the minimum required pace and the corral release times, the last runners should be leaving the park around 7:55am
The course also crosses the railroad at the parade gate by Splash, where a train is parked as a photo op, so it's unlikely that the railroad would have been operational early enough to do the show. I suspect the final train station welcome show was on Friday morning (possibly Saturday, since the Half Marathon was cancelled due to weather), so the whole complaint is likely moot.
Disney does their best to minimize the impact of races on the operation of the theme parks; that's why they start at 5:30am. This, in turn, means that most runners are leaving their hotel rooms by around 3:30am to make it to the start line on time
Because of this, I have very little sympathy for people who are inconvenienced by the resulting traffic. If I'm finishing races when it's still dark outside (on my vacation, mind you) multiple days in a row so that you can get to the theme park easier, you can give a little on your end too
In my experience, Disney makes it abundantly clear that there are races going on. Upon arrival at my hotel (Riverside), there were signs in the lobby, flyers and spoken instructions upon check-in, and daily messages on our room's phone about the impacts it would have on park goers. Variable message signs are placed along roads that will be impacted in the days before the event. Additionally, just looking at the crowds of people wearing race shirts and medals in the parks (making them moderately busy during the otherwise-offseason) should be a clue as well
I know that nobody likes traffic impacts, but considering that these are some of the largest running events in the country, Disney does a remarkably good job of minimizing the pain for non-runners. The Marathon brings a special kind of hell for everybody because the impacts are resort-wide and stretch well into the afternoon, but it's only one day a year, and I assure you that the people still running 6-7 hours into the event are in far more pain and stress than you
Furthermore, I'm not even sure that they had a welcome show at MK on Sunday. They open Main Street to spectators for the race, and it's a notoriously tight turnaround to get them out of the park in time to let the paying crowds in for the day (to the point that runners have been redirected away from Main Street on occasion). Doing some quick math based on the minimum required pace and the corral release times, the last runners should be leaving the park around 7:55am
The course also crosses the railroad at the parade gate by Splash, where a train is parked as a photo op, so it's unlikely that the railroad would have been operational early enough to do the show. I suspect the final train station welcome show was on Friday morning (possibly Saturday, since the Half Marathon was cancelled due to weather), so the whole complaint is likely moot.
Yes, non runners should be very appreciative that we don't mind getting up at 2:00am to get to our race bus, so we can stand outside in the dark (and cold, in the case of the marathon) to run 6.2, 13.1 or 26.2 miles before the parks open so they aren't inconvenienced. Imagine if the marathon became a qualifier for either Boston or NYC like some have suggested.....
So I gather you did Goofy?
BigRedDad
Well-Known Member
Disney either sends a note out stating traffic conditions because of the marathon, puts a flyer up at each bus stop, or has someone there warning guests. This is what I was told at CSR. They just missed doing it or they went up after we were waiting for the bus.
beertiki
Well-Known Member
With both runners and normal guests being inconvenienced, the system Disney is using is flawed. Much better planning is needed to reduce traffic. CMs should take busses or car pool to work to reduce congestion. Race routes should be designed to allow busses to access parks and the TTC. Both runners and guest staying at Disney resorts should have priority in both run times and bus transportation. Let those in cars - CMs, day trippers, those not staying on property, taxis, and deliveries be the ones inconvenienced. They can either park and get on a bus, or wait a few hours.
No, the road signs are up during the race weekend. I've been participating in runDisney races for several years. I've never not seen the signs, in addition to cones, port-a-potties, tents, etc., along the race routes. In addition, there are signs at all resorts.
Like @FerretAfros posted, runDisney and the resorts provide plenty of info to guests. I've gotten the recorded messages on my room phone about traffic delays due to the race the next morning. There are runDisney CMs at each resort where the Expo and race buses are - all one has to do is ask.
Like I said, no excuse for the OP and others not to plan....
danyoung56
Well-Known Member
Why in the world, if I'm not a runner, would I ever check out the runDisney website? If I had trouble once with marathoners, then I'd be a little more proactive with finding out about their schedule. But I can see how easy it would be for someone to plan a trip without having intimate knowledge of the marathon schedule.
The system runDisney has in place is fine.
Park CMs show up early race days...they, along with runDisney volunteers, are the only ones in the parks, cheering on the runners at 6:00 am....
The paramount importance for runDisney is the safety of runners, not someone trying to get to rope drop....
Edit: priorities in run times? What is that? Trust me, those of us who run in Disney races would sure love to not have to be at our race bus stop by 3:30 am in the dark (and sometimes cold) in order to get to our corral and stand around for 30-45 minutes in the dark (and cold) waiting to get to the race start line. But it's done so most of the runners are finished by the time the parks open. Our buses to/from the start/finish points are not Disney Transportation buses, but charters like Mears (the folks who operate the Magical Express from/to the airport and the Cruise Line buses from the resorts to Port) Canaveral. And they take a different route to the drop off point (usually Epcot parking lot) than the park buses.
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Which is why I suggested Disney put something on their website....
But THIS board has an upcoming events section on the home page. And currently listed is the Princess Half Marathon next month and the Dark Side Half in April. So if one visits WDWMAGIC on a regular basis.....
xdan0920
Think for yourselfer
Haha. I love this post. Regular park guests should be "thankful" the runners don't simply close down the parks during normal operating hours? Positively OUTSTANDING.
Most races are not run at the time runDisney starts their's. Most races start several hours later in the AM. And yes, roads are shut down during races. My town recently did a Color Run 5K - it was a blast, btw - and shut down a major part of a road downtown for several hours.
Like I said, the paramount importance is the safety of runners....
xdan0920
Think for yourselfer
Let's take this to it's logical conclusion...
We should be thankful that this doesn't happen....
Tens of thousands of folks paying $100 a day to go to the MK are gonna get turned away because some runners want to jog down Main Street. "Sorry folks, park opens at 1pm today, Runny Mcrunpants needed to sleep in before he ran about the park"
Stop being such a jerk...
Races have been hosted at WDW since 1994....1994. And it's not "some runners wanting to jog down Main Street". Would you make that same statement about Boston and NYC marathons? Both those races are matters of pride for the residents and attract premier distance runners from around the world - plus you have to qualify to run in either.
The 4 races hosted at WDW, especially Marathon weekend, attract runners, serious runners, from around the world also. Doubt that? Wander over to the Running forum on this board and see the dozens of discussion threads on the races....some started years ago and pages numbering in the high hundreds. All races have a benefitting charity - Princess is Children's Miracle and SW Dark Side in April is a veteran's organization.
Yeah, I'd LOVE Disney to delay park opening in the last park we run threw so we didn't have to start and run the majority of a 26.2 mIle race in the dark. Not because I'm lazy, but because it's safer. I just paid $330 to register for the upcoming W&D Challenge in November. Add that cost to my plane ticket, hotel stay, park tickets, meals and race related merchandise I purchased in advance or during race weekend.
Many of us who participate in runDisney races try to do ALL of them...4 at WDW, 4 at DLR, and the Half Marathon at DLP. So that means during the course of a calendar year, we visit 3 Disney parks 9 times - I doubt the typical guest visits that often. I guarantee, we are spending as much, if not more, than someone visiting during those times.
So those of you upset because your arrival at a park was delayed due to a race Disney's been hosting since 1994, just know there are 3 more races at WDW this year and 4 at Disneyland in 2017...one is this weekend. It's only 4 weekends a year....and thousands (30,000-40,000) participate in each race weekend.
xdan0920
Think for yourselfer
Take it easy Runny. I was just doing a hypothetical. Disney (hopefully) will never close the parks to the gen public in the morning for a special event like this. The current setup is fine, and has been for two decades.
FerretAfros
Well-Known Member
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
Marathon Weekend was originally created as a way to fill hotel rooms during one of the quietest weekends of the year, immediately following the holiday rush. Since then, it has evolved into WDW's single most profitable special event of the year. Runners spend more than the average guest on race registration (mine was nearly $600 for Dopey this year), merchandise, park tickets, hotel rooms, and food (gotta fuel for all those miles!)
A similar strategy has been adopted for WDW's other race weekends, using them as a way to boost attendance in the offseason (for some ridiculous reason, DLR's races are all holiday weekends). In fact, the entire cheer/football/WWOS concept is loosely based on the success of Marathon Weekend. To put it bluntly, Disney wants the runners more than the typical guest during these times. Yes, I realize that's harsh, but it's all about following the money
Yes, it would be great if there were ways to move park guests around property seamlessly during the races, but it's just not practical given WDW's use of limited-access highways (though the new interchanges on Osceola Pkwy should help for certain events). If you really want flexibility in the early morning hours, stay at one of the monorail hotels; otherwise, expect to sit in traffic until they're able to clear things up around 8-9am for Half Marathons, or around 1pm for the Marathon. Or just go to a park that's easier to access, like the Studios or Epcot
[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]
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BigRedDad
Well-Known Member
Like I said, NOTHING was provided at CSR. It is the reason we had a message for the Supervisor Manager to meet her at the lobby on our resort phone. It is the reason we were given 3 FPs each at DHS. It is the reason why Guest Relations contacted us after we returned home to apologize as well and give us 3 FPs each for our next trip. Someone or something happened at CSR where it was not communicated. We were not the only ones affected. Our bus was full and there were many others affected going to Epcot or MK. When we met with the lady, she was completely apologetic and said she is dealing with it from most of the non-conventioners at the resort.
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
Marathon Weekend was originally created as a way to fill hotel rooms during one of the quietest weekends of the year, immediately following the holiday rush. Since then, it has evolved into WDW's single most profitable special event of the year. Runners spend more than the average guest on race registration (mine was nearly $600 for Dopey this year), merchandise, park tickets, hotel rooms, and food (gotta fuel for all those miles!)
A similar strategy has been adopted for WDW's other race weekends, using them as a way to boost attendance in the offseason (for some ridiculous reason, DLR's races are all holiday weekends). In fact, the entire cheer/football/WWOS concept is loosely based on the success of Marathon Weekend. To put it bluntly, Disney wants the runners more than the typical guest during these times. Yes, I realize that's harsh, but it's all about following the money
Yes, it would be great if there were ways to move park guests around property seamlessly during the races, but it's just not practical given WDW's use of limited-access highways (though the new interchanges on Osceola Pkwy should help for certain events). If you really want flexibility in the early morning hours, stay at one of the monorail hotels; otherwise, expect to sit in traffic until they're able to clear things up around 8-9am for Half Marathons, or around 1pm for the Marathon. Or just go to a park that's easier to access, like the Studios or Epcot
Congrats on Dopey!