The MousePlanet Mailbag is a regular compilation of some of our reader feedback and writer responses that may be of interest to our readers. We encourage you to drop your questions, opinions, or comments to us in care of our mailbag.
The first letter this week poses a question related to spectators at the Walt Disney World Marathon. Marathon Guide editor Lani Teshima answers Cecilia S., who writes:
This will be my first Walt Disney World Marathon and my husband and support person is not running. Where can the spectators be? Can they stand along the route in different spots?
Although it was written back in December 2005, you might want to take a look at my article, “Great Spectations“, which focuses specifically on what to do if you or a family member wishes to be a spectator for the marathon.
The course has changed a bit in the last few years, but the bulk of the information in that article is still timely.
As it nears the event, you will receive a complete program in the mail. This program will list all of the details regarding available shuttle service and time slots for when spectators are allowed at each of the main spectator locations.
Even with adequate training, there’s still a lot of “mind over body” in a marathon—and having your loved ones there to support you in your endeavor goes a long way towards helping you complete your challenge. I’m so glad your husband is interested in helping be your personal booster club!
A couple of big tips:
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Make sure to arrange for a couple of different meeting spots. Your husband might get held up in traffic or otherwise not make one spot, so having follow-up locations in advance will mean he will have many chances to see you.
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Figure out when you think you will be passing the various locations based on pacing, and then make sure your husband gets there before those times, both so he can secure a good visible spot, as well as in case you mis-pace yourself due to overexcitement.
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As exciting as the beginning few miles are, the area is extraordinarily crowded and usually still quite dark, making it very difficult to see anyone. Consider your first meeting spot no earlier than the stretch going out towards the Magic Kingdom.
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Wear something very distinctive, but make sure it will be comfortable for the whole run. A huge Mad Hatter hat might be very noticeable but it may flop around and become too heavy/warm to wear comfortably, and then you will wind up having to decide what to do with it. Consider something fluorescent (like a bright yellow cap) or a sparkly top, keeping in mind that comfort will be an important element of your dress. Although some people prefer high-tech fabrics, you might see if there is a comfortable silk or cotton blend shirt that can be dyed—and then the sky’s the limit. You can also consider writing your name in huge letters on the front of your shirt, as well. Anything to make it easier for your husband to see you.
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Have your husband carry a big sign. If you don’t want to take it with you on your trip there, consider stopping at a Walgreens or someplace that sells posterboard. The main thing to remember is to make the letters as thick, dark, and large as possible. The simpler the sign, the better. A posterboard that just says “CECI!!!” with a heart around it, may be far easier to read from 50 yards away, than one that says “You’re looking good, Cecilia, keep it up! I love you! Love, your husband.”
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There is one stretch that I like to call the “heartbreak stretch” that goes out to the Wide World of Sports. There are not as many spectators there, it’s usually hot by then, and there’s really nothing to see there. If your husband goes nowhere else, that would be a good place for him to see you and cheer you up. That particular stretch is mentally exhausting.
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Some people like to carry cell phones these days. If you are comfortable carrying a little belt bag for your energy gel, you might want to consider taking a phone. It will help a lot when you near the finish line and you want your husband to be ready to see you at the finish line, as well as to be able to meet up with him afterwards after you finish going through the chute.
Mailbag editor Stephanie Wien answers the next group of letters on a variety of Disney topics, with the first also related to the Walt Disney World Marathon. Rick writes:
I’m trying to make plans for participating in the 2009 WDW Marathon. I can’t find the dates of the race weekend. Can you help?
The date for the following year’s marathon isn’t usually announced until after the current one is complete. However, it’s usually the second weekend in the month, depending on how New Year’s Day falls, and never on Martin Luther King weekend. My guess is that it will be on January 11, 2009.
Best of luck with your training and in the race!
Alan V. writes:
In July my family and I went to the Disneyland resort. We had the time of our lives at both parks. We got to ride in the submarine and it was fantastic. It’s great to have the subs back. It was my 3rd visit to Disneyland and my 2nd to DCA.
The day we arrived we rode on Space Mountain and it was awesome, but while in line I looked at the old track where the PeopleMover and Rocket Rods used to be. I asked a cast member if they’re going to bring back the PeopleMover or Rocket Rods. The cast member said that it’s most likely that the PeopleMover will come back but didn’t know much about Rocket Rods.
I still remember a little bit from my first visit to Disneyland, seeing the PeopleMover while in line for Star Tours and the Rocket Rod cars went through the building. Were Rocket Rods and the PeopleMover at one time together on the same track, or were they on two separate tracks, or am I not remembering clearly? I don’t know much about this but please me give me some info.
The Rocket Rods replaced the PeopleMover, operating on the same track, which was modified slightly to accommodate the different ride vehicles. Not enough it would seem, as the ride was plagued with problems and eventually shut down with no plans to replace it or restore the PeopleMover.
Terence writes:
How easy is it to get to this Premium Outlets centre from Disney World? Walking distance possible?
Although the Premium Outlets are close to Walt Disney World, they are not within walking distance. They are about 3 miles from the Downtown Disney area. Here’s a link to the Orlando Premium Outlets page that describes the different transportation options (link). What you choose will likely depend on where you are staying in the WDW area.
Jarrod writes:
My family and I are planning to be at the Studios on one of the days the Playhouse Disney Concert Series is taking place. Is the park usually busy during the concert series? We have a toddler, what should we expect on these days?
Reports from last year indicate that the venues were not full, except for the Wiggles who are not playing at this year’s concert series. Although there don’t seem to be as many “slow periods” at WDW as there used to be, due largely to promotions such as the Magical Beginnings Concert Series, this is one of the times of year where crowds are typically low due to children being back at school.
I would expect that crowds will be lower, and hopefully lines will not be long. I would also suggest that you check out our MousePad message board, and in particular the Parenting in the Parks forum (link) for lots of discussions about touring the parks with young children.
Have a great trip and thanks for writing to MousePlanet!
David writes:
I’m planning a Walt Disney World Vacation during a week in October and I’m wondering what the crowd levels and weather might be like. I’ve checked many different Web sites and they all seem to say different things. One site said wait times for headliner attractions could get up to 65 to 75 minutes at peak hours!
Also, I know the Magic Kingdom no longer has a submarine voyage. What did they do with the subs and the show building that used to house it?
Crowds and weather are not easily predicted. WDW seems to have fewer and fewer “slow periods” as the people in charge run different promotions to entice more people to visit during the times that are not usually vacation periods for families.
October crowds can grow due to the Halloween party at the Magic Kingdom, as well as the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot. I wouldn’t expect long lines, but you should go with a strategy and be prepared to use FastPass.
As far as the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea ride, Disney removed all of the vehicles and paved in the lagoon. The area is now Pooh’s Playful Spot (link), a padded play area for the younger set.
Kawehi writes:
Aloha, Stephanie,
Growing up, I was so fortunate to have been able to go to Disneyland very frequently because I have family in Southern California. Now, as a mother of a toddler, it’s a bit harder. I’d love to fly across the Pacific Ocean twice a year, but it’s just not feasible. Reading MousePlanet helps me get my Disney fix. Thanks for the updates.
Thanks for reading, and taking the time to write. Maybe you will be able to take your child to the new Disney resort that is being built in Hawaii (link). Not the same as Disneyland, but a little taste of the Disney magic nonetheless.
