Winter Summerland Miniature Golf will open five hours later than usual on January 11, 2026, due to road closures during the final day of runDisney Marathon Weekend.
Delayed Opening Details
Normal Opening Time: 10:00 a.m. January 11 Opening Time: 3:00 p.m. Reason: Road closures for marathon safety
The mini golf facility requires access via roads that serve as part of the marathon route. These roads remain closed to regular traffic until the runners have completed the course.
What This Means for Guests
Families who planned morning mini golf sessions will need to adjust their schedules. The 3:00 p.m. opening eliminates availability for:
- Morning activities
- Early afternoon plans
- Guests with young children who tire earlier in the day
The delayed opening may conflict with:
- Dinner reservations
- Evening park plans
- Scheduled transportation back to resorts
EPCOT Also Affected
EPCOT will open one hour later than normal on January 11:
Normal Opening: 9:00 a.m. January 11 Opening: 10:00 a.m.
The marathon route passes through portions of EPCOT, requiring the park to accommodate runners before admitting regular guests.
This impacts:
- Early morning dining reservations
- Rope drop touring strategies
- Guests planning to maximize morning park time
About runDisney Marathon Weekend
The runDisney Marathon Weekend attracts thousands of participants to Walt Disney World each year. The event includes multiple race distances and requires extensive road closures throughout the resort.
Marathon Weekend Dates: Through January 11, 2026 Final Race Day: January 11, 2026
Roads used for race routes become temporarily inaccessible to regular resort traffic, affecting:
- Transportation between hotels and parks
- Access to certain resort areas
- Operating hours for some facilities
Impact on Non-Participating Disney World Guests
Guests who booked vacations without awareness of marathon weekend may experience:
- Unexpected road closures
- Delayed facility openings
- Altered transportation routes
- Larger crowds throughout the resort
- Higher wait times at attractions
Marathon participants plan trips specifically around race events and expect logistical adjustments. Other guests may not realize their vacation coincides with a major athletic event until arrival.
Planning Tips for January 11
For Mini Golf:
- Plan afternoon or evening visits (3:00 PM or later)
- Adjust other activities to accommodate delayed opening
- Consider alternative recreation options if afternoon doesn’t work
For EPCOT:
- Arrive at 10:00 AM instead of 9:00 AM
- Adjust dining reservations if scheduled before opening
- Use extra morning hour for resort breakfast or rest
General Strategies:
- Purchase Lightning Lane to manage higher wait times
- Monitor My Disney Experience app for current wait times
- Make dining reservations in advance
- Bring patience for larger crowds and potential delays
When Normal Operations Resume at Disney World
Starting January 12, 2026:
- Winter Summerland returns to 10:00 AM opening
- EPCOT resumes standard operating hours
- Marathon-related road closures end
- Resort transportation operates on regular routes
Guests arriving after January 11 will experience standard Walt Disney World operations, unaffected by the marathon weekend complications.
Additional Considerations
Crowd Levels: Marathon weekend typically brings elevated attendance. Runners and their families visit parks after completing races, increasing overall guest counts.
Transportation: Bus routes may take longer due to road closures and detours. Allow extra travel time between locations.
Flexibility: Maintaining flexible schedules helps navigate unexpected delays or closures during special events.
Resort Communication at Disney World
Disney communicates special event impacts through:
- Resort hotel notifications
- My Disney Experience app updates
- Signage throughout the property
- Cast member announcements
Checking official Disney channels before and during visits helps guests stay informed about temporary changes to normal operations.
Marathon weekend represents one of several annual events that can affect standard Walt Disney World operations. Being aware of these events when planning trips helps set appropriate expectations and allows for better preparation.
