WDW in early January, (Half) Marathon Weekend

[Bravesfn1]

Hi all! I am planning a trip to WDW for January 5-13 for the half marathon, which my girlfriend will be running in. We will be staying at the Wilderness Lodge. I have a couple of questions, first what are the typical park hours for this time of year? Also, how are the crowds at this time? I imagine during half marathon/marathon weekend it will be crowded, but I don't know about after that weekend. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[petersenjp]

We have a group going down this year from the 6th-13th!!!! Some doing 5k, some doing half, and some doing the Goofy.

We have been down there for the past 3 years during marathon weekend, and the crowds are very light. As someone said, the runners dont have time for the parks, they are there to run!!!!

The resorts are pretty crowded, and do remember, the night before each race, so starting on thursday, the food courts and Italian rest. will be packed as most are carb loading for the races!

Good luck to your gf and have fun, and tell her to make sure to wear her medal everywhere!!!

 

[petersenjp]

Attention ALL participants in WDW Marathon Weekend 2010 and anyone who may be there during that first week in January -- January 3rd-10th:

It was just announced that Splash Mountain will be closed for rehab starting January 3rd, making it the THIRD straight year it will be closed at the exact time!

I am helping to orchestrate a sort of "petition" for Disney to postpone its rehab of Splash Mountain until AFTER Marathon Weekend. The Marathon Weekend is said to attract over 50,000 runners alone, and that's not even counting family members that travel along as cheerleaders! Splash Mountain is a tremendously popular attraction, and definitely one of the best in all of Disney World, and I know many agree with me in that it's a MAJOR disappointment to have to miss out on it - and for the third year in a row? We can't let this happen!

That being said, if we can get even 200-300 people to write in to Disney and suggest they postpone the refurbishment to perhaps January 11th or 12th, they will have to at least acknowledge our suggestion and consider complying!

So, PLEASE DO YOUR PART! Send a suggestion to Disney to postpone their extensive rehab of Splash Mountain to AFTER Marathon Weekend!: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/contact/

Together, we will be able to ride Splash Mountain after missing out on this great attraction the past two years!

Please spread this to anyone you know that will be at WDW during that first week in January! Thank you!

Per the operational update calendar on this site:

Jan 03, 2010-Feb 27, 2010Splash Mountain closed for refurbishment

 

[Runtinkrun]

Yes, one of the bad things about the marathon is that you have to be there so early before the start of the race. I hope my girlfriend has enough energy to tour one of the parks after the race. I would hate to miss a day at the parks, lol!

My boyfriend and I are doing it too. I'm a runner and he's not....I told him I don't care if I have to put him in a wheel chair, we are not missing out on ANY park time if he's sore or tired:ROFLOL:

 

[dizzney]

Thanks for the info. everyone, much appreciated! I was also wondering, how are the resturants at the Wilderness Lodge? Should we make time for those or venture out to other resorts for dinning?

Always venture out, But Artists Point is great - if you like salmon get the plank salmon - awesome, and Whispering Canyon is alot of fun, we're heading there this January since its a fun expereince, we do it every couple of trips.

 

[Alphakitty24]

I signed up to help out with this marathon and also the full marathon as well. :sohappy:. We did it last year and the year before that. We get up early to help out with all the stuff. Plus we get a free ticket for each day we help out. It's really fun and exciting watching the runners and all the activity for it.