Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend - January 9-12, 2014

[BriarRose0708]

Just saw it on Twitter, there's a link to a little YouTube spot on the runDisney account. I haven't looked but does it indicate when/where the 10K will be?

[cer]

So the 5k is on Thurs, 10K on Friday, Half on Saturday, Full on Sunday.

[BriarRose0708]

So the 5k is on Thurs, 10K on Friday, Half on Saturday, Full on Sunday.

Ugh, so much for a 2-day vacation request so soon after the holidays. I may have to miss the 5k since I likely won't get to WDW until Thursday late afternoon or early evening. I'll ask if I can take another day, or I may just have to get sick, recover miraculously on the plane ride down.

[cer]

Yeah, I am not too happy either.

In order to get to the expo and it NOT be picked over you have to show up on WED????


In order to do the DOPEY - you have to run four days all the while saving your legs so you can't really do any park time until after, which puts you into Monday. Let's just make a whole week out of it.

[PirateLover]

In order to do the DOPEY - you have to run four days all the while saving your legs so you can't really do any park time until after, which puts you into Monday. Let's just make a whole week out of it.

Rent a wheelchair and get someone to push you around! But seriously, this is a big wrench for a lot of people. I am excited about the 10K, but I would really like to be there to cheer on the 5K people, especially since I got some other friends and family interested.

[Melanie]

Events update, and new dates and pricing are all now added to the original post.

[Christine]

WooHoo!! 10K here I come! That's the perfect distance for me! Can't wait!!

[Christine]

Interesting. It's been hinted by our 'in the know' gal that 10Ks are coming. Maybe sooner than we think.

I remember when they had the meeting and I wanted to say it SOOOO badly but couldn't !

Mel, your travel plans may change drastically if the next proves true as well- a birdie tells me runDisney is heading to DLP! Your hubby would maybe like some inaugural European Disney bling?!

[Melanie]

Mel, your travel plans may change drastically if the next proves true as well- a birdie tells me runDisney is heading to DLP! Your hubby would maybe like some inaugural European Disney bling?!

Oh no. No. NO. Seriously? He may not be able to resist. And I would have to go, you know since it's the only Disney park I've yet to visit. What a great reason to finally get over there.

[Christine]

Oh no. No. NO. Seriously? He may not be able to resist. And I would have to go, you know since it's the only Disney park I've yet to visit. What a great reason to finally get over there.

That'd be some serious bucket-list-crossing-offing right there!!!

[Melanie]

That'd be some serious bucket-list-crossing-offing right there!!!

Ha! We'll see. That's a big, blue ocean out there to fly over. Seriously though, I will not die without going to Europe. This sounds like a good excuse as any.

[Tri Minnie]

I think it is nice to have a variety of distances, but I also can't imagine adding another race to what already seems a bit overwhelming and crazy.

[Christine]

Things are getting interesting!

With the crowds already swelling by each passing year and the anticipated growth with the addition of a 10K at marathon weekend at WDW, the town of Celebration had announced an inaugural 1/2 and full marathon January 26 complete with shirts, a more affordable entry fee, finish line refreshments c/o local restaurants, and of course bling!

Even more interesting---and it's definitely not a final or official announcement, just in talking phase:

A little birdie tells me not to be surprised if a SECOND 5k is added to the wdw marathon weekend on Friday, same day as the 10k.
The anticipated dopey challenge participants are enough to lock out the entire family fun run, plus local runners are upset about a Thursday (work and schoolday) run. $50 5Ks don't bring in as many lodgers/vacationers as it does locals. They can't afford to lose that demographic.

So the word is the logistics are being looked into to offer a second day 5K to allow for demand. Also, folks who have already booked their air and lodging for the Dopey would be able to keep their plans of Fri-Sun, without having to add Thursday.
That would make a 10,13,26 weekend for them , running the 5&10ks back to back same day.

We shall see...again, this info is in then VERY early stages and may not come to pass so you'd be wise to plan for the event "as-is"

[Melanie]

Things are getting interesting!

With the crowds already swelling by each passing year and the anticipated growth with the addition of a 10K at marathon weekend at WDW, the town of Celebration had announced an inaugural 1/2 and full marathon January 26 complete with shirts, a more affordable entry fee, finish line refreshments c/o local restaurants, and of course bling!

Even more interesting---and it's definitely not a final or official announcement, just in talking phase:

A little birdie tells me not to be surprised if a SECOND 5k is added to the wdw marathon weekend on Friday, same day as the 10k.
The anticipated dopey challenge participants are enough to lock out the entire family fun run, plus local runners are upset about a Thursday (work and schoolday) run. $50 5Ks don't bring in as many lodgers/vacationers as it does locals. They can't afford to lose that demographic.

So the word is the logistics are being looked into to offer a second day 5K to allow for demand. Also, folks who have already booked their air and lodging for the Dopey would be able to keep their plans of Fri-Sun, without having to add Thursday.
That would make a 10,13,26 weekend for them , running the 5&10ks back to back same day.

We shall see...again, this info is in then VERY early stages and may not come to pass so you'd be wise to plan for the event "as-is"

Very interesting stuff, Christine. Thanks for sharing! Will be interesting to see what actually shakes out. You know though, they just need to put a cap on these races and be done with it. They are way crowded as it is.

I've heard about the Celebration Marathon and can definitely see that having local appeal. Are you going to do any of the races?

[Christine]

Very interesting stuff, Christine. Thanks for sharing! Will be interesting to see what actually shakes out. You know though, they just need to put a cap on these races and be done with it. They are way crowded as it is.

I've heard about the Celebration Marathon and can definitely see that having local appeal. Are you going to do any of the races?

SO agree on the caps- it's insane to be body to body with ppl at a full run!

Don't know if I'll do the Celebration or not- need to see the bling first!

[jonahbear2006]

The resorts are sold out already for this weekend????? This is going to be an insane weekend. I ususally run but I think I will NOT run this year. I will spectate and just show up. THere is no way I want to participate in this madness. $495?!?!??!?!?! I am more interested in having the free t-shirt...isn't that odd of me? I will only be sad that I am not picking up my racing gear and bag prior to the race. :-(

[BriarRose0708]

The resorts are sold out already for this weekend????? This is going to be an insane weekend. I ususally run but I think I will NOT run this year. I will spectate and just show up. THere is no way I want to participate in this madness. $495?!?!??!?!?! I am more interested in having the free t-shirt...isn't that odd of me? I will only be sad that I am not picking up my racing gear and bag prior to the race. :-(

Sorry, but I don't see in any of the previous posts where anyone shares news that resorts are sold out for this weekend. The WDW website shows no availability for this weekend yet, but that's not indicative of a sell out. Just call or better yet contact Magical Journeys to book your trip. Yes this will be crazy crowded but I'm not letting that deter me from running or enjoying the experience. Sorry you aren't going to participate.

[Melanie]

Yeah, I don't think the resorts are sold out yet. I had no problem adding on a day at Shades of Green for 3 rooms. Yes, the marathon swells the crowds and activity around the resort for the weekend, but in no way do I think it's the biggest crowd of people ever at WDW, like you stated in another post jonahbear.

[BrerGnat]

The resorts are sold out already for this weekend?????(

No, it's just the lovely new My Disney Experience website being super awesome again.

It apparently is not yet properly showing resort availability beyond 12/31/13. If you input ANY dates in 2014, you will get "no availability" at every resort, so don't despair. The entire WDW resort is NOT already sold out for Marathon Weekend.

Even if all the WDW resorts were full, though, there are plenty of alternatives:
Hilton/Waldorf Astoria Bonnet Creek, Downtown Disney area resorts, Swan/Dolphin, Shades of Green (if you're eligible), etc.

I think I will book Shades of Green for now, as a safety, but DH and I really want to stay at an Epcot resort if possible.

[BrerGnat]

Aaaand, Shades of Green is booked. They have availability on Sat and Sun nights, but not the surrounding days prior or after. Hmm.

Swan and Dolphin have lots of availability, though.

Hilton/Waldorf Bonnet Creek only go out to 12/31/13 for reservations at this point.

Well, I guess we'll get what we get. I won't stress too much about it until we actually know we can go.