Hi there, Morgan!
Welcome back to planDisney. We're thrilled that you've returned with another great
Walt Disney World Resort vacation planning question! It sounds like you'll be visiting The Most Magical Place on Earth during the
2024 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. As a runDisney enthusiast, this race weekend is one of my favorite times of year to visit the Walt Disney World Resort. Not only is the weather generally milder (perfect for exploring the theme parks!), but January usually draws lower crowds and, therefore, shorter attraction wait times!
Morgan, I'm happy to inform you that you should experience minimal interruptions to your magical vacation as a result of the
Walt Disney World Marathon. The race course routes participants on a 26.2-mile journey throughout The Most Magical Place on Earth, including through the
theme parks and along the roadways, but the theme parks generally operate during their regular hours on race day! This may mean that parts of the theme park are restricted or operating in a modified fashion during race morning, Morgan. For example, when I visited
EPCOT during the morning of this year's marathon, Guests were being escorted across pathways in several areas in the theme park to allow the runners to pass through. However, I'd expect all interruptions to clear up by early afternoon when the race ends!
As I mentioned, during the marathon, runners may be spotted making their way down the roadways connecting the theme parks and Disney Resort hotels, Morgan. For this reason, road closures are common during runDisney races. If possible, I recommend relying on Resort transportation during your commute to the theme parks on race morning, as driving a personal vehicle around property during the marathon can be somewhat tricky due to detours. If your Resort hotel offers
watercraft,
Resort Monorail, or
Disney Skyliner transportation, I'd encourage you to utilize one of these options instead of buses on race morning!
Morgan, though race course maps haven't been released quite yet, historically, the Walt Disney World Marathon starts and finishes near EPCOT and passes through
Disney's Hollywood Studios at around mile 23. On race day, I encourage you to consider visiting Disney's Hollywood Studios first and hopping to
Magic Kingdom Park in the early afternoon to minimize interruptions to your perfect Disney day!
I hope you've found this information helpful, Morgan. I'm wishing you a Walt Disney World Resort vacation filled with wonder and enchantment! If you have any additional planning questions, please feel free to revisit us at
planDisney anytime. Alternatively, you're welcome to
reach out to me directly with any specific follow-up questions. I'd be honored to help you make the most of your time at The Most Magical Place on Earth!
Warm wishes,
Lauren