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  • On Jul 28, 2023
    Sarai from Puebla Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    How crowded are the parks during the January marathon? My husband and I made a reservation from January 4th to January 11th, but we had no idea that the Marathon was going to take place in those dates. Would you recommend us moving dates?

    ¡Hola, Sarai! I'd like to welcome you to planDisney, where we even have a dedicated Mexican panelist like Ana Paula who can also answer your questions en español!

    For years I had planned my Disney Fairy Tale Wedding around the time of the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend and this year I was also concerned about how busy it would be at a time of the year when we would normally enjoy a comfortable experience at the Theme Parks just after the hectic holiday season. I'm absolutely happy to share what my personal experience was like along with the data I collected as I prepared for my wedding week: 

    • Because thousands of runners and their supportive spectators descend upon Walt Disney World Resort for that weekend, you might experience limited availability for not only Resort Hotel stays but also bookable experiences like those found in the Enchanted Extras Collection. We found it to be a little challenging to make reservations, which definitely reflected the spirit of competition that was in the air!
    • We found that so many of the runDisney participants scheduled their trips so that they would be able to linger for the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, which resulted in a very busy opening day on top of the typically popular draw that each of these events bring. In fact, based on our experience and that of our wedding guests my husband and I noticed that the standby wait time in queues across all of the Theme Parks in the week following the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend was almost twice as high on certain days, which immediately saw a significant drop as soon as they began to venture back home to prepare for their next big race. (Imagine what it's like to wait for over an hour for Under the Sea - Journey of the Little Mermaid and coming back a few days later to walk right on at the same time of day!)
    Given the choice, I would absolutely shift my days to the following week in my opinion - especially if it allows you and your husband to have the opportunity to enjoy all of the added entertainment and food options that come with the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts!

    Here's to a merry Marathon-free visit for you and your husband next year!
    Prince
thumbnail image for Prince

Meet the Panelist: Prince, Ontario

Hello, Bonjour, Aloha and Ahoy there! As a performer and world explorer who's been to all of the Disney theme parks around the globe, I'm always happy to provide my best adventuring advice and knowledge to navigate your way to all of the greatest snacks, attractions and entertainment on land and at sea. Find me featured on the planDisney Podcast and on the Disney Parks Blog, discussing Disney Eats at festivals and beyond, holiday events at Walt Disney World Resort and planning my Disney Fairy Tale Wedding! Learn More About Prince

Related Video

  • thumbnail image for EPCOT International Festival of the Arts | planDisney Podcast – Season 2 Special Episode

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