2018 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend Event Details (Jan. 3-7)

The Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna will celebrate its 25th anniversary as it returns to Walt Disney World Resort January 3-7 with a series of events leading up to the big race that winds through each theme park and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. As one of the largest sporting events in Central Florida, and one of the nation’s top destination races, this special event is expected to draw more than 100,000 fans, spectators and runners from around the globe.

Weekend Overview:

runDisney Health & Fitness Expo (ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex):

• Jan. 3: Noon-8 p.m.
• Jan. 4: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Jan. 5: 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Jan. 6: 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

runDisney Kids Races (ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex):

• Jan. 5 and 6: Kids dashes at 10:30 a.m. and 1-mile run at 1 p.m.

Walt Disney World 5K (Epcot):

• Jan. 4: 5:30 a.m.

Walt Disney World 10K (Epcot):

• Jan. 5: 5:30 a.m.

Walt Disney World Half Marathon (Start/Finish: Epcot):

• Jan. 6: 5:30 a.m.

Walt Disney World Marathon (Start/Finish: Epcot):

• Jan. 7: 5:30 a.m. 

Spectator Viewing:
There will be spectator viewing areas at each race’s start and finish areas.

Transportation and Parking
Transportation has been arranged for participants staying at host resorts.  Buses will be indicated by runDisney signs placed in the front windows.  Please note, transportation is only provided to and from host resorts.  Guests who do not stay at a host resort are responsible for their own transportation to and from race-related events.

Transportation schedule:

Wednesday (Expo):

• Host Resorts to EWWS: 11:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
• EWWS to Host Resorts concludes at 8:30 p.m.

Thursday (Expo):

• Host Resorts to EWWS: 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
• EWWS to Host Resorts concludes at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday (5K):

• Host Resorts to/from Epcot: 3:30-5 a.m. and 6:30-8:30 a.m.

Friday (Expo):

• Host Resorts to EWWS: 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
• EWWS to Host Resorts concludes at 7:30 p.m.

Friday (10K):

• Host Resorts to Epcot: 3:30-5:00 a.m. and 7-9:30 a.m.

Saturday (Expo):

• Host Resorts to EWWS: 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
• EWWS to Host Resorts concludes at 4 p.m.

Saturday (Half Marathon):

• Host Resorts to/from Epcot: 3-5 a.m. and 7-11 a.m. (Race participants must board a bus or monorail to Epcot no later than 3:30 a.m. to be on time for race start. Transportation will continue throughout the morning for spectators).

Sunday (Marathon):

• Host Resorts to/from Epcot: 3-5 a.m. and 7 a.m.-2 p.m. (Race participants must board a bus or monorail to Epcot no later than 3:30 a.m. to be on time for race start. Transportation will continue throughout the morning for spectators).

Road Closures

Major roads, including World Drive, Osceola Parkway and Epcot Center Drive will be closed or operating under traffic restrictions at various times throughout the weekend. Drivers should closely follow roadway signs and allow for extra travel time. Please see the road closure map for reference:

Theme Park Impacts

Special 25th Anniversary photo op at mile 25:
To celebrate the 25 years running, a special photo op will be set up at the 25th mile marker located on the bridge between France and International Gateway, near the entrance to the French Island at Epcot. The photo op will be installed after park hours on Saturday, Jan. 6 and will be removed after park hours on Sunday, Jan. 7.

Epcot (Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018):

• There will be three in-park crosswalk locations at Epcot that Guests should use to safely cross the race course:
• Between the Charter Lot and the Sales Gate;
• Pin Central East towards Test Track/Mission Space;
• Pin Central West towards Soarin’/The Seas with Nemo & Friends.
• Guests will receive buckslips at the Auto Plaza and Main Entrance informing them of race impacts.

Epcot (Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018):

• Friendship Boat Transportation to and from Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be delayed until 1 p.m. Guests will have the option to utilize bus transportation from the Epcot Resorts and Epcot.
• There will be three in-park crosswalk locations at Epcot that Guests should use to safely cross the race course:
• Pin Central East towards Test Track/Mission Space;
• Future World Bridge near the Agent P location;
• United Kingdom pavilion.
• Guests will receive buckslips at the Auto Plaza and Main Entrance informing them of race impacts.

Disney's Hollywood Studios (Sunday, Jan. 7):

• Extra Magic Hours will occur from 8-9 a.m.
• ABC Commissary and Rosie's All-American Café will open for lunch at 10 a.m. 
• Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage, March of the First Order, and Citizens of Hollywood will have modified set times. Pick-up a weekly Times Guide for more information. 
• Friendship boat transportation to and from Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be delayed until 1 p.m. Bus transportation will be available for applicable Guests.

Disney Resorts Impacts:
Due to the Walt Disney World Marathon, Narcoossee's brunch hours will be adjusted to 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 7. Narcoossee's is located at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

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