The 2024 Walt Disney World Marathon weekend presented by runDisney is underway, and with some of the longer events kicking off tomorrow and through the weekend, guests should be advised that there will be road closures and modifications to accommodate runners. Here’s a rundown of what you can expect when traveling around Walt Disney World property this weekend!

Friday, January 5th (10k)

Schedule
Friday, January 5th, 2024 | 5:00am – 8:00am
Race Start/Finish: EPCOT Parking Lot
Official race start: 5:00am

The 10k is pretty self-contained in the EPCOT theme park and area resorts, so there will be minimal impact on guests. The biggest impact would be on guests looking to drive to EPCOT. Note that you will want to allow for plenty of extra travel time, and use the entrance from World Drive southbound as there will be closures along EPCOT Center Drive.

Saturday, January 6th (Half Marathon)

Schedule
Saturday, January 6, 2024 | 5:00am – 9:30am
Race Start/Finish: EPCOT Parking Lot
Official race start: 5:00am

The Half Marathon and Full Marathon have a far bigger impact on guests, especially guests looking to get to Magic Kingdom, or locals/Cast Members entering Walt Disney World from the North intending to use World Drive southbound.

World Drive Northbound will likely be the greatest impact. Magic Kingdom opens at 9am that day, with Early Entry available at 8:30am, and parking lot access typically opening at 7:30am. Access to the parking lot will likely be delayed until closer to 8am to accommodate the last wave of runners. If you’re ok sleeping in a bit and missing Early Entry, sleep in Saturday and Sunday.

Guests and Cast Members coming from the North will need to route along the 535 or 429 to get to a more southern entrance point to Walt Disney World property until around 9:30am when World Drive Southbound will reopen.

Sunday, January 7th (Full Marathon)

Schedule
Sunday, January 7, 2024 | 5:00am – 1:00pm
Race Start/Finish: EPCOT Parking Lot
Official race start: 5:00am

By far the biggest impact to the Walt Disney World roadways will be the Full Marathon on Sunday. If you’re looking for a resort day where you avoid the theme parks until later in the day, Sunday is the day to do so. Of course, if you’re staying on property and utilizing the Walt Disney World buses and transportation, Cast Members will know where they can and can’t drive. You might find significantly longer travel times or modified bus arrival/departure times.

As for guests and Cast Members driving during the Full Marathon, be sure to drive more carefully than normal, as you might be sharing the roadway with runners or drivers who are equally as confused.

Expect similar impacts as the Half Marathon during the start of the day, with prolonged impacts along World Drive through at least 12:30pm as runners complete a lengthy journey through Walt Disney World that includes running a significant portion of the event on the Walt Disney World roadways.

Beyond roadway impacts, EPCOT will have a delayed opening from 9am to 10am on Sunday only and many of the runners and their families like to visit EPCOT that day, so you can expect elevated crowds (and long lines for drinks).

Guests traveling to EPCOT will only be able to access the parking plaza from World Drive South for the first half of the day, and guests visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom should utilize Osceola Parkway and not Buena Vista Drive Westbound before noon.

As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!